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The Source of Arthritis of the Spine
Les Payne
September 08, 2023
The Most Common Place That Arthritis Occurs In Your Spine
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Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.
Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:
Facet joints explained: The primary source of arthritis in your spine
What can you do about facet joint arthritis?
News: National Opioid Crackdown - Who is really suffering?
Facet Joints Explained: The primary source of arthritis in your spine
A facet joint is a small joint in your spine that connects one vertebra (the bones in your spine) to another. These joints are found on both sides of your spinal column, and they help provide stability and allow for movement in your spine.
Each facet joint is made up of two bony surfaces with cartilage in between them, just like the joints in your knees or elbows. These joints play a crucial role in enabling your spine to bend, twist, and move in various directions. They also help distribute the weight and forces placed on your spine, which is essential for maintaining your balance and supporting your body's movements.
It is common for people to develop arthritis in their facet joints, a condition often referred to as facet joint arthritis. This condition typically occurs as a person ages and the cartilage within the facet joints gradually wears down, leading to pain and discomfort.
The facet joints are subject to wear and tear over time, just like other joints in the body, due to the constant movement and load-bearing responsibilities of the spine. When the protective cartilage erodes, the bones in the facet joints can rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes the formation of bone spurs.
Facet joint arthritis can result in localized back or neck pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
Keep reading to find out what you can do about facet joint arthritis!
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Don’t Quote Me On This…
"In life, my friends, you'll encounter a few sour notes, but back pain? Now that's a tune no one wants to sing. So take care of your spine, baby, because a pain-free back is the key to swinging through life's melodies with style and grace."
Treating Facet Joint Arthritis
There are several treatment options available for managing facet joint arthritis. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and individual patient preferences. Here is a list of some common treatments for facet joint arthritis.
Conservative Treatments
Heat/Ice therapy
Physical Therapy
Over the counter pain relievers
Lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise
Bracing
Injections and Interventional Treatments
Facet joint injections
Medial branch nerve block injections
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Interspinous spacing
Facet joint fusion
Surgery
Prescription Medications
Nerve pain medications
Opioid pain medications
Muscle Relaxers
Keep up with this newsletter to learn more about all of the above treatment options!
In the meantime, ask your doctor if they think your back or neck pain could be from facet joint arthritis. Then, ask them if you are a candidate for any of the treatments listed above.
In the news…
With the national crackdown on opioid pain medication prescribing and use, who is really suffering?
In case you missed it…
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About the Author
Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!
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