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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Bruce Grindley
Recientemente me sometí a un procedimiento para aliviar un dolor considerable en mi espalda, después de caerme por un tramo de escaleras y dañarme la columna en tres lugares. Este procedimiento lo realizó el Dr. Santiago con la asistencia de Patricia Rodríguez Mederos de Mivi Salud Tenerife, en un quirófano del Hospital Quirón de Adeje, Tenerife, lo que me resultó mucho más cómodo que tener que subir a Sta Cruz. .

Desde que llegué fui muy bien atendido, primero por Atanay quien me preparó para el procedimiento y por Erika quien asistió al Dr. Santiago y Patricia en el quirófano. Me ofrecieron un gotero para ponerme en el brazo, con un sedante para mantenerme relajado, ya que el procedimiento se iba a realizar con anestesia local, en lugar de ponerme a dormir.

Sin embargo, rechacé el sedante porque las sonrisas de bienvenida y las garantías de todos los involucrados me tranquilizaron y no tenía ninguna preocupación. Realmente hace una gran diferencia ser tratado por estas personas tan profesionales, que me mantuvieron tranquila y relajada durante todo el tiempo que estuve allí.

Realmente no puedo elogiarlos lo suficiente y la buena noticia es que lo que hicieron fue muy exitoso y mi dolor de espalda se ha reducido considerablemente.

I recently underwent a procedure to relieve substantial pain in my back, after falling down a flight of stairs and damaging my spine in three places. This procedure was carried out by Dr Santiago with the assistance of Patricia Rodriguez Mederos of Mivi Salud Tenerife, in an operating room in the Quiron Hospital in Adeje, Tenerife, which was much more convenient for me, rather than having to go up to Sta Cruz.

From the moment I arrived, I was very well taken care of, firstly by Atanay, who prepared me for the procedure and by Erika who assisted Dr Santiago and Patricia in the operating room. I was offered a drip to be put in my arm, with a sedative to keep me relaxed, as the procedure was to be done using a local anaesthetic, rather than putting me to sleep.

However, I declined to have the sedative because the welcoming smiles and assurances from all concerned put me perfectly at ease, and I had no concerns whatsoever. It really makes a huge difference when being treated by these very professional people, who kept me calm and relaxed throughout the whole time I was there.

I really cannot praise them enough, and the good news is that what they did was very successful, and my back pain has been greatly reduced.
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Super treatment. My neck feels new after two sessions with Raquel. Very clean and professional space too.
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JORDI CIURANS MALLORQUIN
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