Facet Joint Arthropathy
Facet Joint Arthropathy
Facet Joint Arthropathy
What Is Facet Joint Arthropathy?
- Facet joints are small joints in the back of the human spine.
- These joints allow bending and twisting movements of the spine.
- If these joints get injured due to trauma or become arthritic due to wear and tear and age, it results in Facet Joint Pain Arthropathy.
- The facet joint is more common in old age people. It may occur in Young Adults primarily due to injury/trauma.
How Does Facet Joint Pain Feel?
- Facet Joint pain is expected in the lower back (lumbar) region.
- The pain is usually in the lower backs, buttocks, back & side of the thighs.
- The pain may increase on bending back and lateral rotation.
- Back pain may be worse in the morning with stiffness.
How Does Facet Joint Pain Get Confirmed?
- Your pain physician will first examine your back thoroughly after taking your Medical History.
- He may ask for blood tests and some Imaging Tests like X-ray, CT Scan or MRI of the lumbar spine to accurately diagnose the source of your pain.
- CT Scan or MRI images may show facet joint arthropathy.
What Is the Treatment for Facet Joint Pain?
Initial Treatment –
- Initial therapy may include pain killers, NSAIDS (short course), muscle relaxants, etc.
Physical therapy-
- Physical therapy and spine strengthening exercises can help to reduce facet joint pain.
Facet joint injections-
- Suppose the Above Treatments do not give a satisfactory response. In that case, Your Pain Physician may Recommend you for Facet joint injections.
- Facet joint injections are the most effective treatment for Facet Joint Pain.
- These procedures are done under X-ray guidance on a daycare basis and are safe procedures.
- Your pain physician may decide to do a facet joint injection or radiofrequency treatment for the nerves supplying the facet joints.
- These procedures are done under IV sedation and local anaesthesia and last about 30-40 mins.
- They are usually covered by medical insurance.