Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Facet Joint Osteoarthritis is also known as Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Arthritis.
The facet joints are located in the back portion of the spine. These joints consist of two bony surfaces with cartilage between them and a capsule around it that produces fluid. Osteoarthritis of the facet joints causes the cartilage to breakdown, in turn resulting in loss of motion, stiffness, and pain.
Symptoms
- Neck or back pain. Pain is often increased with extension of the neck or back, standing or activity.
- More specifically, low back pain associated with Facet Joint Osteoarthritis is most pronounced first thing in the morning. Throughout the day, normal movement causes fluid to build up in the joint and it becomes better lubricated, which decreases the pain. However, later in the day the pain typically becomes worse again as more stress is applied across the joint.
Tests may include:
- X-rays
- CT Scan
Treatment
Pain from Facet Joint Osteoarthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatories, injections, or surgery.
Prepare
Ask yourself:
- What are my symptoms?
- Is there anything I do that makes the pain better? Is there anything I do that makes the pain worse?
Contact DOCS Health today to schedule your consultation. Have your Internist or Referring Physician order imaging of the affected area for you to bring to your appointment.
Medically reviewed by Parham Yashar, M.D., FACS on
Doctors who treat this condition
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Albert Wong, MD
Neurosurgery, spine
View profile: Albert Wong, MD -
Khawar Siddique, MD, MBA
Neurosurgery, spine
View profile: Khawar Siddique, MD, MBA -
Brian Perri, DO
Orthopedic spine surgery
View profile: Brian Perri, DO -
Edward Nomoto, MD
Orthopedic spine surgery
View profile: Edward Nomoto, MD -
Patrick Hill, MD
Orthopedic spine surgery
View profile: Patrick Hill, MD -
Obiajulu “AJ” Agha, MD
Orthopedic spine surgery
View profile: Obiajulu “AJ” Agha, MD
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.
