Cervical Facet Syndrome

What is

The facet joints are small joints that stabilize and reinforce the spine in all its segments. They perform fundamental functions for the cervical region since, together with the intervertebral disc, they stabilize and cushion the loads produced by movement, in addition to allowing rotation and flexion-extension movements of the neck.

When a disc wears out, the distance between the vertebrae decreases in such a way that these joints contact each other, becoming inflamed and triggering pain. If the alteration is not corrected, the joints will continue to wear out, producing what is known as facet syndrome.

Causes

It is usually caused by degeneration of the facet joints in the cervical area. To this fact contribute:

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc: discoarthrosis, disc protrusion or disc herniation.
Trauma
Inflammation of the facet joints in the cervical segment.
Degeneration of the facet joints.

Symptoms

The most frequent symptom is pain in the cervical region, in a space on both sides of the center of the neck.

This pain has some peculiar characteristics that help to differentiate it from other types of cervical pain:

It is located in the spine in the center slightly to the sides (in what is called the paravertebral area).
It may radiate to the shoulder, shoulder blades, elbow and proximal arm.
It is accentuated in the movements that these joints develop (extension, flexion, rotation).

Approach protocol

Diagnosis and assessment

A correct medical evaluation will be necessary by means of a good anamnesis, physical examination and, if necessary, support of imaging tests. Focusing especially on detecting the factors that lead to the overload of these joints and assessing whether the injury is exclusively at a vertebral level or if there are more conditions in adjacent areas. The multidisciplinary vision is essential for a comprehensive, personalized approach, focused on achieving prolonged pain relief depending on the phase in which it is found and may involve the collaboration of neurologists, neurosurgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, dentists, rehabilitators and physiotherapists.

Complementary tests

X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the physician’s diagnosis and may be applied:

- Drugs for pain relief
- Physiotherapy: methodology based on knowledge and clinical reasoning in which we combine a series of techniques and treatments both manual therapy and invasive techniques, always associated or complementing them with cutting-edge technology that allows us to accelerate the recovery process. Among other high-tech devices include Magnetolith, SIS, focal shock waves, Indiba, among others. This therapeutic combination allows us to activate the patient early to begin with a routine and a process of specific therapeutic exercises that allow us to enhance and strengthen the lost functional patterns.
- Interventional treatments:
  - Facet blocks
  - Facet radiofrequency
  - Functional rehabilitation

Here begins your life without pain

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maria teresa medina jimenez

Puntualidad. Explicaciones claras. Trato muy agradable

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Ana Rosario Rendon López

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Loli Martín

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Flora Mota

Estoy muy contenta del trato personal y tratamientos que me han ofrecido. He conseguido esquivar temporalmente una prótesis de rodilla y poder hacer vida normal sin dolor. Pueden solucionar los dolores sin pasar por operaciones traumáticas.

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Patricia Rodríguez Mederos

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Vera Lucia Dos Reis Moraes

Quiero agradecer al dr Duca,por la amabilidad profesionalidad la empatia..No tengo palabras para describir el excelente trato cercano y sobretodo una buena persona.Mil gracias ....

Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Vera por tomarte tiempo de dejar esta reseña tan positiva sobre el Dr. Duca Nos alegra saber que has tenido una experiencia tan positiva

Raquel Soler

Gracias al equipo MIVI.
No sabia lo mal que estaba hasta que gracias a la Rizzolisis he dejado de sentir el solor y he ganado calidad de vida.

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Francisco Sanchez

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Luis Rodero Garduño

La atención profesional y humana de todo el equipo de fisioterapeutas que trabajan en el Hospital Vithas Sevilla es excepcional. Amables y eficientes, un trato y un interés inmejorables. Totalmente recomendables.