What is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joints are the bony protrusions at the back of the spine which join the vertebrae together.  They are the joints that make your back flexible and allow you to bend and twist.

The joints are lined with cartilage and lubricated by a substance called synovial fluid. When healthy, the bones move freely over each other without grinding.

Nerves pass through the joints from the spinal cord to on their way to the rest of the body.

Degenerative changes in the discs and subsequent thinning of discs can cause pressure on the facet joints, affecting how the joints line up. This added pressure causes wear and tear which eventually destroys the cartilage and fluid in the joint and causes the soft tissue surrounding the joint to swell.

As a result of this damage, the bones rub together. When this happens, the body tries to heal itself by building new bone which results in the formation of bone spurs, growths which protrude from the bone and can press on the nerves which pass through the joint.

There is an added risk that these bone spurs continue to grow and narrow the spinal canal.

When suffering from facet joint syndrome, movements such as bending backwards or twisting sideways towards the affected joint will cause pain.

Standing for long periods may make it worse and anything which takes the weight off the joint such as sitting or lying down can ease the pain.

Symptoms

Unpredictable pain, possibly scattered over a few months

Soreness when pressing on the area where pain is felt

Pain when leaning backwards

Pain when sitting for long periods

Causes/Contributing Factors

Wear and tear

The most common cause of facet joint syndrome is general wear and tear as part of the ageing process, resulting in a thinning of the cartilage between the joints.

Posture

Abnormal posture can place additional pressure on the facet joints, resulting in inflammation and pain.

Injury

When there has been a trauma, particularly a whiplash injury, the facet joints can become torn away from each other. This can damage the cartilage, as well as causing associated muscle stiffness and pain. In extreme cases, the facet joint can become dislocated.

If you think you may have Facet Joint Syndrome, strengthening the muscles in the back and core can help alleviate the pain and prevent future problems.

To speak to a back pain specialist about treatment, claim your complimentary ‘reduce back pain’ consultation, where you can discuss your back pain and receive advice on safe treatment for Facet Joint Syndrome.

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