Symptoms and Treatments of Facet Arthropathy in UK
Facet Arthropathy : More than 80% of individuals suffer from back pain at some point of time in their lives. The causes of back pain are innumerable which explains the ubiquity of back pain worldwide.
From regular strains to degenerative diseases, the reason for back pain, chronic or temporary can be umpteen. It is one such medical condition that affects the spine and may result in chronic back pain. In this blog with the inputs from spine surgeon and back pain specialist in UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta, let us learn more about the symptoms of Facet Arthropathy manifest and also the treatment options available to cure this condition.
What is Facet Arthropathy?
Facet Arthroscopy in simple terms is a degenerative spinal condition that is caused by wearing of the facet joints that end up putting pressure on the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is protected by a bony column made up of vertebrae and facet joints with cushions resting between the vertebrae. The bony canal made up of vertebrae and are supported by facet joint that acts as stabilizers to help align vertebrae and limit the unwanted motion of this bony canal. These facet joints when they wear down may restrict the motion of the vertebrae or put unwanted pressure on the spinal cord causing stiffness, swelling and abnormal pain in the back.
Causes of Facet Arthropathy :
Apart from spinal degeneration caused by ageing, injuries, abnormal repetitive movements, or medical conditions like obesity may contribute to the wear and tear of facet joints. Osteoarthritis, synovial cysts, accidents or injuries are other common causes of Facet Arthropathy.
What are the symptoms of Facet Arthropathy?
Pain in the lower back that worsens with bending twisting or prolonged standing is one of the most common symptoms of Facet Arthropathy. Swelling, stiffness and pain are usual symptoms of this condition. The back pain caused usually is intermittent and sometimes may even be pin-pointed at a certain area.
Unlike other degenerative conditions affecting the spine, the pain however doesn’t radiate to the legs or buttocks. Patients affected by Facet Arthropathy often find relief when bent forward. If the symptoms of your back pain match with the symptoms mentioned then a patient is requested to contact an orthopaedic spine surgeon in UK, at the earliest.
In addition to the above other symptoms of Facet Arthropathy may include soreness in the back, muscle spasms, poor posture, tenderness, and limited range of motion in the back.
Treatment for Arthropathy in the UK:
The focus for every orthopaedic surgeon or back pain specialist in UK is to reduce the pain and ensure an active lifestyle. Medications (anti-inflammatory medications & Intra-articular steroids), physical therapy, and spine surgery are some of the treatments options used by an orthopaedic surgeon in UK to treat Facet Arthropathy.
While treatments are available, it is always better to take necessary steps for the prevention of Facet Arthropathy in the first place. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, right posture, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and maintaining healthy body weight are a few easy ways to reduce the risk, according to Children and Adult Spinal Surgeon UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta.