Facet osteoarthritis is a pathology that affects the facet joints of the spine., that can affect the patient's quality of life.
Index
What are the articular facets of the spine?
The articular facets, are the connections between the different vertebrae of the spine, that allow its mobility. They are made up of a capsule, surrounded and reinforced by ligaments that provide resistance. The main function of the articular facets of the spine is to prevent and limit the rotation and anterior displacement of the vertebrae..
What is facet arthrosis?
Facet osteoarthritis is a pathology that affects the facet joints of the spine., caused by wear or degeneration of the cartilage of the facet joints, so it is a common pathology in elderly patients.
The wear of the facet joints is very similar to that of the intervertebral discs, Nevertheless, the disc usually undergoes earlier degeneration, that accelerates the degeneration of the facet joint.
Causes of facet osteoarthritis
as explained, The main cause of facet arthrosis is cartilage wear., in many cases, this wear is due to a decrease in the intervertebral disc, which produces an increase in pressure on the facet joints.
Cartilage degeneration of the facet joints can lead to joint laxity and subluxation., that is to say, instability in the joints. As well as, facet hypertrophy, which refers to excessive inflammation of the facet joints that causes pain in the patient, being the most common lumbar facet hypertrophy at l5-s1.
Symptoms of facet osteoarthritis
Facet osteoarthritis does not usually cause symptoms in the patient at first. Nevertheless, as the wear of the cartilage and facet joints is greater, the patient may manifest pain accompanied by stiffness and immobility.
Most people who are in pain and need to know most common symptoms of facet arthrosis is chronic low back pain, known as lumbar facet osteoarthritis, that can affect the patient's quality of life, may affect daily activities of the patient, such as walking or sitting for long periods of time.
In the most serious cases, facet arthrosis can lead to more serious pathologies, for instance, canal stenosis, that is to say, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause spinal cord compression. In these cases, the patient's symptoms will be different and more severe, as the patient will experience severe pain and, in many cases, immobility.
Diagnosis of facet osteoarthritis
Once the patient goes to the specialist showing symptoms of facet arthrosis, A physical examination of the patient will be performed., as well as, a medical history study, as well as, of possible family history.
In most cases, diagnostic imaging tests will be necessary, such as X-rays or MRIs, to obtain images of the affected area. In some cases, the patient will undergo a facet block or lumbar facet block, in order to know the exact location of the patient's pain.
In these cases, the diagnosis will be carried out periodically. That is to say, once the patient is diagnosed with facet arthrosis, control tests will have to be carried out from time to time to be able to detect possible degenerative changes in the facet joints or intervertebral discs.
Treatments for facet arthrosis
Once the patient is diagnosed with facet arthrosis, depending on the symptomatology and the affectation that the pathology has on your day to day, treatment will be prescribed. The most common is usually a first treatment, based on analgesics or anti-inflammatories, that help relieve the patient's symptoms. What's more, Rehabilitation treatment supervised by a specialist is usually recommended, to help the patient regain mobility and flexibility in the spine, as well as, improve stability.
In the most serious cases of lumbar facet pain or facet arthrosis, the patient will undergo the minimally invasive technique for chronic lumbar pain specialized in lumbar facet osteoarthritis.
lumbar facet block
This radiofrequency technique is called rhizolysis., whereby corticosteroids will be injected through a lumbar facet infiltration or facet block. In these cases, the patient's symptoms will be different and more severe, as the patient will experience severe pain and, in many cases, immobility.
Recovery after a lumbar block offers very positive results accompanied by rehabilitation treatment.
Our doctors specialists in infiltration and radiofrequency of the spine in Madrid will be in charge of alleviating your lumbar facet syndrome through radiofrequency or infiltration of the lumbar facets.
This treatment offers good results accompanied by a rehabilitation treatment.
Radiofrequency for the treatment of facet arthrosis
in patients with facet arthrosis, radiofrequency treatment has very favorable results that help improve the patient's quality of life, especially, in cases of chronic facet joint pain.
radio frequency, contributes to treating possible nerve injuries in the area. The treatment is performed percutaneously and is a painless technique.. The specialist inserts a needle and will be guided by fluoroscopy, electrodes will be applied to the area to interrupt possible nerve signals that are reaching the brain.
How to prevent facet arthrosis
In cases where the patient has a family history, the risk of facet arthrosis will increase. Nevertheless, there are certain guidelines that could prevent or delay the onset of facet arthrosis.
It is recommended to follow healthy lifestyles, based on a balanced diet and moderate low-impact exercise. Thus, will be carrying out a control of body weight that will help prevent facet arthrosis.