Facet joint disease is a condition that affects thousands of people across the United States. At The Spine Care Center in Manassas, we know that facet joint disease can cause a number of painful and life-disrupting symptoms, and we’re dedicated to providing each and every one of our patients with the dedicated care they deserve.
Below you can learn more about this condition’s causes, symptoms, and treatment options. If you’re ready to speak with our spine doctors about your symptoms, then get in touch with us to make an appointment.
Between each of your spinal bones (vertebrae), there is a small joint called a facet joint. Facet joints support your spine’s flexibility and allow it to move in many different directions. Your facet joints are almost constantly in motion throughout your life, which means that they undergo quite a bit of wear and tear as you age. Eventually, this can cause the cartilage around the facet joints to become thin and inflamed. This condition is called facet joint disease (or arthritis of the spine).
Facet joint disease can cause symptoms that mimic other causes of back pain, such as a herniated disc. Symptoms often include:
Though physicians can’t reverse facet joint disease, they can treat your symptoms so you can experience less pain and benefit from increased mobility.
To diagnose facet joint disease, your doctor will begin by asking you a short series of questions about your pain, such as when it occurs and what makes it worse.
Your doctor may also perform a physical examination. They may feel your spine to find tender spots or ask you to complete a few simple motions. These tests can help your physician understand which kinds of movement affect your pain.
Finally, your physician may order diagnostic testing, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. These imaging tests help your doctor see your facet joints and diagnose facet joint disease.
At The Spine Care Center, our experienced physicians have helped thousands of patients with back pain find relief. They have earned recognition as Top Doctors in both the Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine for their unsurpassed dedication to attentive, compassionate care.
Our skilled spine doctors provide accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans for facet joint disease to effectively relieve your pain without disrupting your lifestyle. Your individualized plan may include:
More than 90 percent of the patients who come to The Spine Care Center are able to achieve long-term back pain relief without surgery. Our spine surgeon, Faisal Siddiqui, MD, is committed to ensuring that only patients who are good candidates for surgery undergo procedures. His careful approach to care helps all patients receive the most effective and least invasive treatment for their pain.
Don’t live with the pain from facet joint disease for another day. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas today or request an appointment online.