Facet Joint Syndrome Treament

Specialist Facet Syndrome Treatment London

Facet Syndrome is a condition which develops in the joints between each vertebrae, called Facet Joints. Over time, normal wear and tear, injury or overuse can cause the lining of the facet joints to decline. As these joint are used every day, even when just walking or sitting, once the lining (cartilage) is worn down, rubbing between the joints can cause irritation. This condition is also called Osteoarthritis.

Degenerative Disc Disease & Facet Joint Syndrome

Degenerative Disc Disease can also cause Facet Joint Syndrome. This happens when the discs start to degenerate, the space between the vertebras become smaller, and there is a build up of pressure on the facet joints that can wear away the cartilage. Left untreated, bone spurs can develop which can press on the spinal canal and cause it to narrow – this is called Spinal Stenosis.

Facet Joint Syndrome can affect anywhere along the spine, but usually affects the lumbar region (lower back) or cervical region (neck).

Symptoms of Facet Joint Syndrome

As there are facet joints on each vertebra, the condition can happen anywhere in the spine. Most often, it causes pain at the affected joint area as bone is effectively rubbing on bone. It can also cause restricted movement because the spine can’t move as freely without the cartilage. As the symptoms are similar to many other back conditions, It can be difficult to tell if you have Facet Joint Syndrome. Therefore a professional diagnosis is necessary. Symptoms may include:

• Pain, numbness or muscle weakness in specific areas related to where the affected area is
• Facet joint syndrome in the cervical region can cause pain in the neck or shoulders, and radiating pain can travel into arms and hands. Some people may also get headaches.
• Facet joint syndrome in the lumbar region can cause pain in the lower back or buttocks, and radiating pain can travel into legs and feet.

Our Facet Joint Syndrome Treatments

As with other forms of arthritis, lowering pain levels is the first step with treatment. This makes helping Facet Joint Syndrome become more manageable. Treatment involving Shockwave therapy and Spinal Remodelling can help bring down the inflammation, and make living with arthritis far more bearable:

• Shockwave therapy helps to break down the scar tissue that can build up around the facet joints, allowing increased blood flow into the area, boosting overall healing and help to improve movement in stiff areas. As movement tends to improve hydration of the joints, shockwave therapy helps the production of joint fluid called synovial fluid, aiming to reduce the wear and tear between the cartilage surfaces of the facet joints.
• Spinal remodeling and rehabilitative exercises can also help by correcting the posture; an incorrect posture can put pressure on certain areas of the spine, which can potentially worsen the condition.