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

Book appointment

Wuilmar Galue

3 days ago

AML L

3 days ago

Muy buenos profesionales , atentos , amables y con calidad humana . Destacar también recepción que reciben con una sonrisa . Las instalaciones limpias . Al día de hoy mi experiencia en esta clínica es excelente .

JAVIER MIGUEL SALVAT

3 days ago

Sergio Carbonaro

4 days ago

Excelente atención, con profesionales de primera linea, tanto como el equipo medico, administrativo y del Dr. Algarra

Roser Hurtado

5 days ago

Encantada con la Dra.Natàlia Neira. Empàtica y cercana.Me he sentido comprendida. Muy hábil con la eco grafía, su infiltración ha marcado un antes y un después. Gracias Dra.Neira.

Detlef Neumann

2 weeks ago

Ich wurde sehr gut und kompetent behandelt

Merche

2 weeks ago

Quiero destacar el gran trabajo de Nicolás. Después de años arrastrando molestias por un accidente del que nunca llegué a recuperarme completamente, y tras sufrir otro más reciente que me provocó fuertes dolores lumbares, había pasado por varios terapeutas sin encontrar una solución real. Nicolás fue el primero en identificar el origen de mi problema. Me explicó claramente qué estaba causando el dolor y comenzó a tratarlo de forma específica. Desde entonces estoy notando una mejoría importante y, por primera vez en mucho tiempo, siento que estoy avanzando de verdad. Muy agradecida por su profesionalidad y por haber encontrado la causa de unas molestias que llevaba años arrastrando. Totalmente recomendable.

Antonia Guesoler

2 weeks ago

Muy buen profesional JESUS,la pena es la demora que hay

Miguel Figueras Lopez

2 weeks ago

Buenas tardes, el Doctor Nebreda y su equipo son muy buenos profesionales y el trato es formidable , sobre todo la enfermera Julia, estoy muy contento con sus intervenciones y tratamientos....lo recomiendo a cualquier persona que le haga falta para tratar su dolor, un saludo.