Facet joint syndrome, also known as facet syndrome or vertebral joint osteoarthritis, is a condition affecting the joints between the vertebral bodies. Alongside disc damage, facet syndrome is likely one of the most common causes of back pain.
The facet joints connect two adjacent vertebrae from the back. They are paired, meaning there is a left and a right facet joint, and consist of a joint capsule, a thick cartilage layer, and numerous nerves.
Although the facet joints as connecting points of the spine are largely unknown, they play a very important role for the back, as they bear up to one-fifth of the weight that rests on the spine.
The main cause of a facet joint syndrome is degenerative, i.e., wear-related, damage to the vertebral joints. Depending on which facet joints are affected, the facet syndrome in Düsseldorf is divided into:
Since the facet joints in the lumbar spine area are subjected to the greatest stress, lumbar facet syndrome occurs much more frequently than cervical or thoracic facet syndrome.
The main symptom of facet syndrome is pain, which predominantly occurs when stretching or bending backward. Since the facet joints are traversed by many small nerves, "pseudoradicular" pain radiation often occurs. This means that the pain radiates to the hips and legs. Other possible symptoms of facet joint syndrome include:
Overall, the symptoms of facet joint syndrome can lead to limitations in mobility and quality of life.
Once the diagnosis of facet joint syndrome is confirmed in Düsseldorf, various treatment options are available. Since facet syndrome is a result of wear and tear that cannot be completely reversed, the primary goal of treatment is to alleviate or eliminate the pain.
Your orthopedist in Düsseldorf will initially attempt conservative treatment methods. In addition to targeted physiotherapy or taking anti-inflammatory tablets, injections directly into the vertebral joints have the most immediate effect. This is known as facet infiltration or injection, where a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the painful vertebral joints.
Facet infiltration
If a conservative treatment approach does not achieve long-term success, there is also the option of so-called facet denervation. In this procedure, the nerve responsible for transmitting pain is temporarily disabled using heat (thermotherapy) or cold (cryotherapy). This effect lasts for up to about two years.
Facet syndrome often occurs alongside other spinal injuries and should therefore always be considered as a cause of severe back pain. We are happy to personally advise you on the treatment options for facet syndrome and the associated back pain in Düsseldorf.
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