Thoracic Facet Syndrome
Thoracic Facet Syndrome is also known as Thoracic Facet Disease or Thoracic Osteoarthritis. This disease is a degenerative spinal condition in which the thoracic facet joints of the spine deteriorate over time.
Symptoms of Thoracic Facet Syndrome
The most common symptoms for Thoracic Facet Syndrome are:
- Radicular pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm.
- Pain and tenderness in the thoracic region.
- Muscle spasms.
- Change in posture in response to the pain in the thoracic region.
- Inflexibility in the neck region; an individual may become unable to move their head and shoulder sideways and downwards.
- An individual may experience cracking or crunching feelings in the thoracic spine.
- The individual may experience pain while sitting for a prolonged period.
Treatment of Thoracic Facet Syndrome
Treatment for Thoracic Facet Syndrome depends on the severity of the condition and the pain. Some common treatments of thoracic facet syndrome depending upon the condition include:
- Mild Thoracic Facet Syndrome
If the articular cartilage has not deteriorated extensively, then the physician will recommend anti-steroid pain medication, which will reduce the inflammation and pain. Medication alongside physical therapy will decrease the rate of deterioration of the joints, alleviating pain and inflammation.
- Moderate to Severe Thoracic Facet Syndrome
If the pain and the deterioration of the articular cartilage are severe, then the expert panel of board-certified spine surgeons will carefully and thoroughly evaluate the condition and the individual medical history to determine the most appropriate course of action.
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FAQ’S
What Are Symptoms of Facet Joint Problems?
Some of the common symptoms of facet joint problems include:
- Radicular pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm.
- Pain and tenderness in the thoracic region.
- Muscle spasms.
- Change in posture in response to the pain in the thoracic region.
- Inflexibility in the neck region; an individual may become unable to move their head and shoulder sideways and downwards.
- An individual may experience cracking or crunching feelings in the thoracic spine.
- The individual may experience pain while sitting for a prolonged period.
How Do You Fix Facet Joint Syndrome?
You can adopt the following tips to fix facet joint syndrome:
- Take rest at regular intervals.
- Attend personalized physical therapy sessions.
- Your specialist may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain.
- In some cases, surgery is recommended.
What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?
Some of the common causes of facet joint syndrome include:
- Sudden trauma or accident.
- A whiplash injury in the neck.
- Abnormal or bad sitting posture.
Does Facet Joint Pain Go Away?
- A minimally invasive surgical procedure is recommended to treat pain.
- You do not have to worry about going for a surgical option unless you are facing symptoms of acute or chronic pain in the affected area.
