The facet joints are structures which connect vertebrae to one another. The main purpose of them is to provide support and stability to the spine. Facet joint disorders occur when these joints become injured.
Let’s take a closer look at some common questions about these disorders, and how they can be treated.
- What causes facet joint disorders? Facet joint disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including arthritis of the spine, injury, overuse of the joint, or an accident. Additional causes may include existing health conditions, such as sciatica, and spinal stenosis.
- What are some common symptoms of facet joint disorder? Symptoms of facet joint disorders occur primarily in the neck, or back areas. Lower back pain is the primary symptom of a joint disorder that occurs in the back area. Significant pains will occur in the neck areas when the joint disorder is limited to that area.
- What are some risk factors of facet joint disorders? Some risk factors for this condition include aging, traumatic injury, and inflammatory arthritis. Some other risk factors for the disorder include hereditary, diet, and physical activity.
- How can this condition be treated? Some patients may experience success by treating the disorder with medications, or by wearing a back brace. When these treatments do not work, a facet joint injection may be helpful, a facet joint injection may be helpful. A facet joint injection is a combination of an anesthetic and cortisone, which is injected into a joint to relieve inflammation and pain. The procedure will take about 30 minutes to complete, with the patient experiencing few complications and no downtime.
- Am I a good candidate for a facet joint injection? Patients who are experiencing severe pains in their back, leg, or arms are generally considered good candidates for this treatment. Patients who are pregnant, or have an infection are not considered good candidates for the injection. For such patients, a doctor will determine what treatment is best for relieving symptoms.
Facet Joint Disorders in the Greater Princeton Area
If you have questions about facet joint disorders, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our offices are located in Hamilton, NJ, serving the greater Princeton area. We can be reached at (609) 890-3400. We look forward to serving you!
