Facet Joint Arthritis Diagnosis
According to the Internet Society of Orthopedic Surgery & Trauma, arthritis of the lumbar facet joints can result in substantial lower back pain. The facet joints connect the vertebrae to one another. Facet joint arthritis typically develops gradually. This is due in part because the main cause of this condition is spinal degeneration that slowly occurs as people age. There are a number of therapies available to treat facet joint arthritis.
Other People Are Reading
-
Causes
-
Since facet joints are rarely immobile they often wear down, causing the cartilage to tear, thin or recede. The bone of the joint below may respond to constant activity by producing overgrowth of bone spurs and an enlargement of the joints. When this takes place the joint is considered to have osteoarthritis (chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints) that can result in severe back pain.
In addition to degeneration issues often caused by the normal aging process, facet joints can also become arthritic due to a prior back injury, torn ligament or fracture.
Symptoms
-
When facet joint arthritis is caused by degeneration, symptoms hardly ever develop quickly, although sudden and/or hurried movements in the low back can cause injury to a facet joint that cause abrupt symptoms.
Pain from facet joint arthritis is frequently heightened following sleep or rest. You may notice pain in the midsection of the lower back that can spread into the buttocks.
-
Diagnosis
-
Your doctor will take note of your medical history and conduct a complete physical exam to establish which back movements cause discomfort or other symptoms.
Your doctor may also use a diagnostic injection to trace the origin of the pain. The procedure involves the use of a long needle to inject a numbing medication, followed by a special dye. If the pain dissipates, its source is verified.
Medicinal Treatment
-
Some patients may need injections into the facet joint or in the surrounding small nerves to relieve pain. An anesthetic is used to block pain coming from the facet joint. Sometimes a steroid medication is used in place of the anesthetic.
Surgery
-
It is unusual for people with facet joint arthritis to require surgery, but the condition can result in persistent lower back pain for some patients.
One of the main operations performed for facet joint arthritis is called facet rhizotomy. During this procedure, one of the small nerves of the facet joint is intentionally cut to stop the nerve from receiving pain impulses.
Another surgical procedure--posterior lumbar fusion--is primarily used to prevent movement of the painful joints by combining at least two vertebrae into one solid bone (fusion).
Rehabilitation
-
Your doctor may suggest that you spend time with a physical therapist, who will help you recover strength, function and back movement.
Spinal manipulation may offer temporary relief of pain from facet arthritis. This adjustment to the spine stretches the tissues close to the facet joint and diminishes sensitivity in the spinal nerves and muscles.
-
