Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are at either side of the intervertebral joints that are the joints between the disk and vertebra in your back. Their role is to prevent excessive movement, and provide stability for the spine. When the facet joints are functioning correctly they move freely to control the movement of the spine.
What is Facet Joint Syndrome?
Facet Joint Syndrome is pain arising directly from the facet joint.
What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?
A fall and blow to the body sustained playing sport or as a result of a car-crash, for example, can put excessive pressure on the facet joints bringing about acute pain. Extending the spine or bending towards the affected side will exacerbate the pain in the facet joint.
Pain in the facet joints can be caused by several things like sudden excessive movements that can have a great impact on the joint itself, or degeneration within the joint, resulting in the pain lasting longer than a few days. In the event of some kind of trauma there in an inflammatory reaction causing swelling in these joints which is a component factor in the joint pain. Pain can also be caused due to an impingement on a nerve within the joint.
What are the Symptoms of Facet Joint Syndrome?
Typically there is pain just to one side of the spine and the spine will generally feel very stiff in the mornings. Often the muscles in the area of pain go into spasm.
What Treatment can you have for Facet Joint Syndrome ?
Things you can do yourself
- Rest
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs
Rehabilitation treatment
- Physiotherapy