Knee cartilage isn’t the only cartilage that can be subject to wear and tear. Just like any other joint, the joints located between the vertebrae are not immune to degenerative changes caused by factors similar to those that cause osteoarthritis.
These factors include:
- old age
- Injuried
- Repeated actions
- obesity
Pembroke Pines pain management experts also warn that poor posture may also increase a patient’s risk for facet joint pain, as long-term poor spinal alignment affects the body’s overall weight distribution, which can damage the vertebrae and vertebrae that support the spine. cartilage.
What are facet joints
Facets are synovial joints located between each vertebra that hold the vertebrae together and allow spinal movement and flexibility. The cartilage lining each facet joint and the synovial fluid that lubricates them allow the facet joints to glide without unduly twisting the spine.
In short, lumbar facet joint pain
Facet joint pain is caused by degeneration of the spine causing the facet joints to be forced to bear weight unevenly. This can lead to cartilage wear and bone spurs forming. Just like knee osteoarthritis, the spine can become stiff, inflamed, and inflamed.
The pain is usually a dull ache that is felt in the waist or lower back and radiates to the buttocks and back of the thigh. The lumbar facet joints are the most common site of low back pain (LBP). In fact, 15-45% of patients with LBP trace their pain to the lumbar facet joints.
Facet joint pain may also occur in the neck or neck (cervical facet joint pain). The pain usually comes and goes a few times a month or a year. There is no specific pattern to its occurrence and it is often unpredictable.
Other signs and symptoms of facet joint syndrome include:
- Inflexible spinal muscles
- Tenderness in the affected facet joint area
- Pain when bending backward or twisting sideways
- Pain during prolonged inactivity
If you suspect facet joint pain, you should take immediate action. Pembroke Pines pain management doctors warn that if left untreated, pain can be disabling and can mimic the signs and symptoms of a herniated disc, fractures, infection and even abdominal problems.
How to prevent lumbar facet joint pain?
Avoiding certain risk factors can prevent this condition from developing. Controlling your posture and weight is a great place to start. It can also be helpful to perform exercises that strengthen your back.
Dr. Escobar is a Florida pain care specialist with years of experience in pain management. His clinic offers comprehensive interventional pain management services. Our pain specialists are experts at performing procedures such as spinal cord stimulation, platelet-rich plasma injections, epidural steroid injections and other innovative techniques. All of these can help relieve your pain and restore your quality of life.
To learn more about pain management in Pembroke Pines, Aventura, and Hollywood, you can contact us at 954-322-8586. If you have any questions, please contact us.
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice and does not substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
