5 Treatment Options for Facet Joint Pain

The facet joint is a joint connecting each of your vertebrae in the spine. These joints ensure the range of motion of your vertebrae and provide stability for the spine. Because of the aging process or back injury, the facet joint can get damaged or degenerate. When this happens, you may experience back pain known as facet joint syndrome. This discomfort can interfere with daily activities and decrease the quality of your life.

Below are 6 treatment options that can help you effectively manage the pain and other symptoms of facet joint syndrome.

1. Home remedies

There are a bunch of home remedies that can help you relieve facet joint pain and improve your well-being. First of all, you need to rest your spine and avoid activities that worsen the pain. This includes rapid twisting, repeated bending, and extending of the spine. It is important to maintain a natural spine alignment while sitting, walking, or standing. Good posture relieves pressure on the facet joint and prevents further damage.

Heat therapy can help relax the muscles of your back and promote blood flow to the affected area. This speeds up regenerative processes and relieves pain. A cold compress can relieve inflammation and numb the area, thereby reducing the pain.

2. Medications

Your doctor may suggest both over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat facet joint syndrome. Your doctor may also recommend you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation and muscle relaxants to improve the range of motions. Additionally, antidepressants can be prescribed to alleviate discomfort and restore your ability to conduct activities of daily living.

You may also be recommended to use topical pain-relieving gels, creams, oils, and patches. They can help relieve local discomfort on your back.

3. Physical therapy

Any strategy for facet joint syndrome treatment includes some type of physical therapy. An experienced physical thera[pist will help you choose the right exercises and schedule suitable treatment for your unique case. Physical therapy for facet joint pain usually involves a combination of strengthening, stretching, and aerobic exercises. The doctor may also suggest manual therapy to boost recovery of the facet joints.

Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery. It provides a long-term result and prevents other problems in the future. If you train with an experienced physical therapist, you can ensure the great health of your back muscles and spine.

4. Injection therapy

There are several types of injection therapy that can be used to treat facet joint pain. The first is direct facet joint injection. This type of injection is usually delivered into the capsule surrounding the facet joint to relieve pain and inflammation. The second is the medial branch block that blocks nerves and relieves pain.

The third is radiofrequency ablation. This type of injection therapy helps to reduce pain. The doctor exposes the nerves surrounding the facet joint to the heat, thereby destroying the nerves that cause pain. This prevents them from sending pain signals to the brain and reduces or stops pain from facet joint syndrome.

5. Hemilaminectomy discectomy surgery

The most common procedure used to treat facet joint syndrome includes laminectomy surgery. During this procedure, the doctor removes the part of your vertebrae. This procedure is often done in facet joint syndrome that results in spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis often results in compression of spinal nerves and the spinal cord. If damage to the nerves isn’t severe, the doctor may suggest a hemilaminectomy.

The second common surgery to address facet joint issues is a reduction. During this procedure, the doctor repairs the damage of the facet joint caused by severe trauma or fracture. In case if the doctor suggests facetectomy to treat your facet joint, the doctor will trim the parts of the facet joint to remove the excess bone that irritates spinal nerves.