Facet syndrome in the lower back is a type of arthritis that causes pain in the facet joints of the lumbar spine, which are responsible for connecting vertebrae and providing flexibility. As people get older, these facet joints can deteriorate due to continuous strain and inflammation, leading to pain and immobility. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of this debilitating condition, so you can begin a treatment plan as early as possible to relieve your symptoms.

Symptoms of facet syndrome in the lower back

If you are suffering from lumbar facet syndrome, then you are likely experiencing the following symptoms:

• Local pain
• Radiating pain
• Tenderness
• Dull aching
• Stiffness
• Headaches

Bone spurs may also develop to restabilize the cervical spine, as the cartilage that typically cushions the bones wears away. As a result, symptoms develop, such as clumsiness, difficulty walking and muscle weakness in your buttocks, legs and feet.

Treating facet syndrome in the lower back

After receiving a facet syndrome diagnosis in the lower back, your doctor may recommend a variety of conservative treatment methods to ease your condition. This may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, low-impact activities, stretching exercises, massage therapy and chiropractic care. However, if your symptoms do not improve after several weeks or months of treatment, then surgical intervention may become necessary to achieve lasting relief.

If this is the case for you, then contact USA Spine Care to learn about the minimally invasive options that are available to treat facet syndrome in the lower back. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we are proud to have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain since 2005. Our procedures are performed using a small incision that is muscle sparing, allowing us to provide a safer and effective alternative to patients compared to traditional open spine surgery.^

Depending on the severity of your condition, the highly skilled surgeons at USA Spine Care are able to use a minimally invasive decompression or stabilization procedure to relieve pressure by removing a portion of the damaged spine and possibly using an artificial disc or bone graft to help you regain stability. To find out if you are a candidate for our outpatient surgery, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review.* We can help guide you on your next step to find pain relief.

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