Lumbar Facet Disease: Symptoms & Treatments
One of the top types of pain that our pain management Asheville NC specialists treat is chronic lower back pain. There can be a variety of conditions that cause this, one of the more common conditions being lumbar facet disease. Today we’re going to share a bit more information about this condition, including causes, symptoms and treatments. Read on to learn more.
What is Lumbar Facet Disease?
Lumbar Facet Disease is a common condition involving the discs and vertebrae of the spine. It is also frequently referred to as Lumbar Facet Syndrome or Lumbar Spondylosis. Lumbar facet disease is known to cause pain in the lower back, buttox and upper legs because of reduced lubrication and cushioning in the joints.
Causes
Over time, the cartilage wears away between the bones in the facet joints of the spine, causing inflammation and pain in those areas. This is called degeneration. The wear and tear or aging of joints can lead to decreased padding (cartilage) and lubrication as well as excessive bone growth.
Symptoms
The symptoms of lumbar facet disease are very similar to those of other arthritic conditions. Although everyone will experience this condition in their own unique way, the following are the most common expressions:
Lower back pain
Pain that radiates through the buttox
Leg pain (stopping at the knee)
Back stiffness
Tenderness at the location of involved facet joint
Possibly numbness and/or tingling throughout the lower back/buttox/upper leg area
Diagnosis & Treatments
While many times imaging studies help with diagnosing chronic pain conditions like this, they are not especially helpful with lumbar facet disease. Most of the time, these tools will not show physical evidence of this disease until it’s reached an advanced stage. Our back pain Asheville specialists tend to rely more on other tools as well as a thorough patient history and exam to diagnose lumbar facet disease.
Lumbar facet disease cannot be helped with surgery and doesn’t typically respond well to physical therapy. Alternate treatments that have shown success include the following:
Weight loss
Core muscle strengthening
Anti-inflammatories
Steroid injections directly into the joints
Nerve block (Facet Rhizotomy)
If you or someone you love is looking for more information, CPC’s own Dr. Edward Lewis shares a pain specialist perspective about the diagnosis process and treatment options in this patient resource video. We also encourage you to schedule a time to come in and get a consultation with one of our back pain Asheville staff (locations also in 14 surrounding cities).
Pain Management Asheville NC
At Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we aim to improve your quality of life by listening to you, creating custom treatment plans, and educating you as we learn more about your conditions. We’re invested in your sustained relief from pain.Our treatment plans are minimally invasive and conservative. We also provide, as a part of our team, psychologists who offer counseling and education to assist you in reaching your goal for an optimal life! Call today to schedule a consultation.