Facet Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome refers to pain in the facet joints, which link each vertebra. This pain usually occurs in the neck (cervical), or lower back (lumbar) area, and often associated with spondylosis to include arthritic changes of the spine with disc degeneration.  There are a few causes for this sort of pain, the first being that advancing age is often associated with loss of the cushion effect of the cartilage, causing the bones to rub together. Also, whiplash, trauma, inflammation, infection, and disc degeneration are other likely causes.

Symptoms in the Neck:

• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Difficulty rotating the head

Symptoms in the Lumbar (lower back):

• Pain or tenderness in the lower back
• Pain that increases with twisting or arching the body
• A deep and dull pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the upper leg
• Stiffness or difficulty with certain movements

 Non-surgical Treatments:

• Posture correction
• Modifying physical activities
• Physical Therapy
• Medicines: pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)