Facet Syndrome: A Hidden Spine Injury Often Caused by Car Accidents

Neck pain can be, well, a pain in the neck. What many sufferers of neck pain often come to realize, however, is that neck pain can also be a pain in the back, the shoulders, and other areas of the body. While there are many causes of spinal injuries affecting the neck and back, one cause not often mentioned and not typically appearing in MRIs is facet syndrome. Most simply put, facet syndrome describes irritation to some (or even one) of the joints on the back of the vertebrae. Two sets of facet joints, which are about the size of your knuckles, exist at the back of each vertebra along the spine, enabling and controlling many of the forward, backward, and twisting movements of the body. Connective tissue and cartilage surround each joint, but the protective tissue does not always prevent the joints from becoming jammed upon impact when the spine or neck is extended suddenly as in a whiplash injury caused by a car accident.

Symptoms
If one or more facet joints becomes injured, chronic neck or back pain can occur, even radiating into the shoulders and, sometimes, causing headaches. Symptoms of facet syndrome differ at least slightly from herniated disc symptoms in that facet syndrome pain, while often felt in the shoulders, does not typically move into the arm or hand. Pain from an inflamed facet joint can radiate down into the buttocks and down the back of the upper leg but rarely appears in the front of the leg or below the knee (as in the case of a herniated disc). Sufferers of facet syndrome also complain of pain that feels like a dull ache and is worse in the morning, during times of inactivity, during stormy weather, and upon compressing the affected area (for example, bending one’s head to his or her right if the painful joint is in the right side of the neck). Loss of movement in the neck, muscle spasms, and deep, sharp pain are also symptoms of the injury.

Diagnosis
While the above-mentioned symptoms may point to facet syndrome, it is necessary to consult with a doctor for a proper diagnosis of your injury. Pain that seems to point to facet syndrome may, in fact, be caused by another condition. When visiting a physician for diagnosis, he or she may take x-rays or have a CT scan done to view injuries to the facet joints as well as other areas of the spine. MRIs are typically ineffective in diagnosing facet syndrome. If necessary, a facet joint injection can be performed to determine if a patient has the injury.

Treatment
Changes in daily activities and exercises directed by a physical therapist, proper posture, the application of heat or cold (as instructed by a chiropractor) to the injured area, anti-inflammatory medicine, and a supportive neck pillow are all conservative options that may help to relieve facet joint pain. More complex treatment options range from mild (such as chiropractic adjustments) to more serious procedures, such as facet rhizotomy, which destroys the nerve endings around the injured facet joints, and even bone fusion surgery for those who have disc degeneration. PRFN (Pulsed Radiofrequency Neurotomy), which has also been used to treat inflamed facet joints, works to prevent specific spinal nerves from transmitting signals of pain.

What to Do Next
We represent clients who have been injured in car accidents and require treatment for facet syndrome in their necks or backs. If you have been injured in an accident and feel that you may be suffering from this injury, please feel free to call us at 770-577-3020 for free answers to any questions you may have. You may wish to claim compensation for your spinal cord injury or other injuries associated with your accident.

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