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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JUANJO CANO

Mi primera sesion.
Muy buen trato y muy buenos profesionales.

Satur HOYOS PINTO

¡Una clínica excelente! Son todos unos profesionales maravillosos, muy competentes y el trato es exquisito, son muy agradables y cariñosos. Se implican personalmente con cada paciente. Muy buen ambiente y buena organización. También el personal de recepción son encantadores y cercanos; te facilitan y ayudan en todo.
Yo ya estuve hace 2 años con una lesión en el hombro y consiguieron recuperarme al 100% y en poco tiempo. Las dos veces llamé y me dieron la cita para las sesiones muy pronto.
La rehabilitadora jefa es una gran profesional con grandes conocimientos. De los fisios, Belén y Fran son magníficos.
Es una clínica altamente recomendable; yo vivo en El Palo, y aunque tengo bastantes clínicas más cerca tengo claro donde voy a seguir viniendo.

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Pilar Solana López (Pili)

Hace cerca de 20 años que me visito con el doctor Genaro Mañero y estoy muy contenta con sus visitas y revisiones. Es un excelente profesional y muy atento con sus pacientes.

Miguel Gómez López

Mu buen doctor el doctor madero

Rufino Cortes

El doctor MORALES es un crack, nada mas tengo que elogios para el como persona y profesional. Llevo con unos 9 años con el y me estoy salvando de operarme.