Chronic spinal pain in your back and neck are incredibly common. Causes range from sleeping awkwardly to serious injuries, but one of the most overlooked is facet arthropathy, also known as facet arthritis.
Arthropathy describes a disease or abnormality in the joint—in this case, the facet joints, which are small stabilizing joints located between the segments of the spinal column. These tiny joints can degenerate over time, leading to inflammation, stiffness and chronic pain. Facet arthropathy can occur at any point along the spine but is most common in the neck and lower back.
Persistent backaches and neck pain can be debilitating, but if you’re able to identify the source, you may be able to find long-lasting treatment. Summit Orthopedics can help people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area determine the cause for their back pain and recommend surgical and nonsurgical treatments to help.
What Are Facet Joints?
The facet joints are the places where one spinal segment connects to another. They support your spine while allowing it to bend and twist. These joints also contain synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint surfaces and supports smooth motion.
As age and repeated stress put pressure on the spine, the cartilage that cushions these joints can wear down. This wear and tear on facet joints can cause the bones to rub against each other. This grinding and friction send pain signals, which may lead to inflammation. This is considered facet arthropathy.
Facet arthropathy most commonly affects the cervical spine (neck region) and lumbar spine (lower back).
Facet Arthropathy Causes
Joints in the spine experience a lot of wear and tear over the years, so several factors can contribute to the development of facet arthropathy. These include:
- Aging. Over time, cartilage within the facet joints breaks down, resulting in joint irritation and stiffness.
- Misalignment of the spine. Spinal misalignment can place uneven stress on the facet joints.
- Osteoarthritis. This common form of arthritis leads to joint degeneration and can directly affect the facet joints.
- Repetitive motion or overuse. Jobs or activities that involve frequent twisting, lifting or bending may worsen stress on the spine.
- Spinal injuries. Trauma from accidents, falls or sports injuries can damage the joints and nearby ligaments.
Facet Arthropathy Symptoms
Common signs of facet arthropathy include:
- A dull ache or stiffness in the lower back or neck
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness, tingling or weakness (if nerve roots are affected)
- Pain that feels worse in the morning
- Pain that worsens with prolonged standing or sitting
- Radiating pain that travels to the buttocks, groin or thighs
- Tenderness when pressing on the spine
It can be difficult to describe facet arthropathy pain, especially in comparison to other types of neck or back pain. Some people say facet arthropathy feels like a dull ache and constant stiffness that seems to be centered in a specific area. Twisting, bending or standing can make this pain suddenly worse and cause it to radiate to other parts of the body. Inactivity might make it worse.
Conditions with similar symptoms, like disc herniation, may need different types of treatment, so it’s important to seek proper medical care and diagnosis.
Facet Arthropathy Diagnosis
The diagnosis of facet arthropathy begins with a detailed review of your medical history and a physical examination. During the exam, your provider may ask you to move your spine in different directions to see which motions trigger pain.
To further confirm the source of your pain, your provider may use a facet joint block or medial branch block—an injection of a local anesthetic into the affected joint. If the pain significantly improves after the injection, it helps verify that facet arthropathy is the cause.
Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRI and CT scans can help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other spinal issues.
Facet Arthropathy Treatment
Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available for managing facet arthropathy, depending on the severity of symptoms and the specific area affected. Treatment often includes:
- Chiropractic manipulation
- Heat or cold therapy
- Pain medications or injections
- Physical therapy to restore motion and improve posture
- Radiofrequency ablation
In severe cases when other treatments haven’t helped or when spinal stenosis is present, surgery may be necessary. For severe cases, surgeons may recommend spinal fusion. This procedure permanently joins two or more vertebrae to eliminate the painful motion at the affected joint. Your provider will assess the degree of joint degeneration, nerve involvement and your overall health before recommending surgery.
Can You Reverse Facet Arthropathy?
Facet arthropathy is generally considered a degenerative condition, which means it can’t be completely reversed. However, early intervention can slow its progression and greatly improve your quality of life. You may not be able to regrow lost cartilage, but you can strengthen the muscles that support your spine, maintain good posture and keep up with healthy exercise habits.
Find Relief for Facet Arthropathy
If you’re experiencing a dull ache in your back, stiffness when moving or pain that seems to worsen with activity, you don’t have to endure it.
Summit Orthopedics has nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
