Facet Pain / Spinal Arthritis
The human spine is made up of a series of bones (also called vertebral bodies), which are stacked one on top of the next. On both the left and right sides of the vertebral bodies, there are very small joints called facet joints.
Inflammation and arthritic changes can be experienced in the facet joints. This can cause the nerves of the joints to create diffuse and severe pain. We call this spinal arthritis or facet pain disorder.
Facet pain or spinal arthritis is pain that originates from at least one facet joint in the spine. This pain can also be called facet arthropathy or facet joint syndrome. The spine can undergo degenerative changes where body weight unevenly shifts to these points. Over time, this causes wear and tear to the joint and can even change its form.
There are several risk factors for experiencing facet pain. Some of the most common include the following:
- Age
- Degenerative disc disease
- History of trauma
- Bad posture
- Family history of degenerative arthritis
Of course, not everyone who has these risk factors will experience spinal arthritis. It simply means that the chances of experiencing this kind of pain will be higher than for the average person with fewer or no risk factors.
The symptoms of extremity can vary based on the type. With lower pain, body position is often something to be aware of. Individuals might feel better in one position than another. Certain activities can also cause the pain to lessen or become worse. However, in some situations, there may be no cause readily apparent for the pain.
For upper pain, the most common source is the cause. The more a repetitive motion is done, the more stress there is on the body. When the motion is made more frequently, this increases the chance of experiencing pain or an injury. Most of the common overuse injuries are associated with the wrists and shoulders.
On the other hand, some forms of extremity pain can originate from another problem in a different section of the human body, such as the spine or neck, but feel the pain in the arm or leg instead.
Spinal arthritis can be treated in many ways. Sometimes, all you need are pain and anti-inflammatory medication, Physical therapy, weight reduction, facet injections, and traction can also be useful. Minimally invasive surgery is another option for severe pain.
Are you suffering from spinal arthritis and looking for a way to alleviate the pain? The professionals at Modern Pain Consultants are here to help. We offer a variety of treatment options to alleviate the pain you are experiencing. Reach out to us today to learn more about your options.