Facet Joint Syndrome
Overview
This condition is a deterioration of the facet joints, which help stabilize the spine and limit excessive motion. The facet joints are lined with cartilage and are surrounded by a lubricating capsule that enables the vertebrae to bend and twist.
Types of Facet Syndrome
Facet syndrome types vary by location
Lumbar in the lower back, nerve compression caused by a facet joint abnormality can produce symptoms in the buttocks, hips, thighs, calves and feet.
Thoracic in the upper and middle back, it produces symptoms in the torso.
Cervical in the neck, it produces symptoms in the upper back, shoulders, arms and fingers.
Symptoms
Symptoms (cervical)
Pain from facet joint syndrome differs depending on which region of the spine is damaged. If the cervical, or upper spine is affected, pain may be felt in the neck, shoulders, and upper or middle back. The person may also experience headaches.
Symptoms (lumbar)
If the lumbar, or lower spine, is affected pain may be felt in the lower back, buttocks and back of the thigh.
Causes
Facet joint syndrome occurs when the facet joints become stressed and damaged. This damage can occur from everyday wear and tear, injury to the back or neck or because of degeneration of an intervertebral disc. The cartilage that covers the stressed facet joints gradually wears away. The joints become swollen and stiff. The vertebral bones rub directly against each other, which can lead to the growth of bone spurs along the edges of the facet joints.
TYPES OF PAIN WE TREAT
GASTROINTESTINAL
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT
GENERAL HEALTH
Herniated Disk
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
Osteoarthritus of the Knee
Osteoporosis
Trigger Point Injections
Where Lower Back Pain Begins
Where Neck Pain Begins
Whiplash
Brain and Mental Health
Depression
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Post-Whiplash Headache
Stroke
Substance Abuse
Traumatic Brain Injury
Occipital Neuralgia (Arnolds Neuralgia)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Substance Dependence
Tension Headache
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Diabetes Conditions
Diabetic Foot
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose) and Diabetes
Hyperglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) and Diabetes
Prediabetes
Diabetes (Type 2)
Diabetes Treatments
Diabetes and Foot Care
Diabetes and Exercise
Diabetes and Healthy Eating
Managing Type 2 Diabetes
Digestive and Urinary Systems Conditions
Heart, Blood and Blood Vessel Conditions
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Infectious Diseases
Lung Conditions
Asthma
Bronchitis
COPD
Emphysema
Medications
Opioids Medications
Opioids (Common Side Effects)
Opioids (Dependence and Addiction)
Opioids and Chronic Pain Management
Using Opioids Safely
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Restless Leg Syndrome
Sleep Apnea
Systemic and Genetic Disorders and Conditions
Anemia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Overweight and Obesity
Head Non-Surgical Procedures
Botox Injections for Chronic Migraine
Peripheral Non-Surgical Procedures
Fascia Illiaca Block
Brachial Pleaxus Block
Femoral Nerve Block
Poplitea Fossa Block
Spine Conditions
Cervical Radiculopathy
Compression Fractures of the Spine
Facet Joint Syndrome
Herniated Discs
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
Myelopathy
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylosis
Where Lower Back Pain Begins
Spine Non-Surgical Procedures
Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Discography
Facet Joint Injections
Flouroscopic Guided Piriformis Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection (without contrast)
Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Medial Branch Block (Cervical)
Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Lumbar Facets
Sacrolliac Joint Steroid Injection
Stellate Ganglion Block
Spine Surgical Procedures
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy
Laminectomy
Laminectomy (cervical) with Fusion
Lumbar Disc Microsurgery
Lumbar Discoscopic Discectomy
Micro Endoscopic Discectomy
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdecompression
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
Selective Endoscopic Disectomy
Foot and Ankle Procedures
PRP Therapy
PRP Therapy for Achilles Tendon Pain
PRP Therapy for Peroneal Tendonitis
PRP Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Hip and Thigh Conditions
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Hip Joint Injection
PRP Therapy
Ultrasound-Guided Illoinguinal Nerve Block
Knee Procedures
PRP Therapy
Flouroscopic Guided Steroid Injection for Knee Pain
Genicular Nerve Block
HYALGAN Injection for Knee Pain (Flourscopic Guided)
Visco-supplementation for Arthritis of the Knee
Shoulder Procedures
