Facet joint arthritis

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all. I have just been diagnosed with facet joint arthritis.

Does anyone else on this forum suffer with it?

2

Hi Julie I have facet fount arthritis, widespread osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. I therefore suffer from pain in my cervical and lumbar pain. What have you tried for pain relief so far as I've suffered with this condition for 10 years x

3

I actually don't know.  An x-ray report says I have arthritis in facet joints in spine, but it wasn't given the name "facet joint arthritis" - just part of the whole osteoarthritis thing.  I've been taking a high dose of glucosamine for many years and my osteo seems to have "progressed" very little in that time.  Was diagnosed with OA at about age forty, now nearing seventy eek .

4

Physiotherapy has been great for me.  Given exercises many years ago to strengthen muscles which support the spine and I think they have really helped me a great deal. 

5

I started with OA in my left hip and had a total hip replacement 6 months ago. I have had reoccurring back ache for 12 years (that's when I first found out my hip was bad) since my THR the back problem was still there plus I sometimes get like a burning sensation in the back of my legs and buttock my so my GP sent me for an MRI and my consultant seen it on my 6 month hip check up. She said I have multiple disc prolapse's and facet joint arthritis. Also arthritis in my right hip as well. My GP has put me on pregabalin/lyrica plus codine to help with pain

6

I too am on pregabalin and cocodamol for pain. I am due to start another round of physio next month. They called mine facet joint disease, osteoarthritis, tendinosis in my elbows and hips, plus nerve compression. I am due to have facet joint denervation and also some steroid injections. I have started to get a lot of weakness in my arms and itchy tips of 2 of my fingers sad

7

I am now waiting for a hospital appointment so will probably have some kind of injection. It is a strange condition to have isn't it. I do wake up sometimes through the night with pins and needles also numbness in my hands.

8

Hello all facet joint pain sufferers,  I'm not sure if I have it, but apparently one facet joint shows degeneration in mid to lower back.  Can this explain the at times excrutiating pain I get with certain movements that radiate around the back?  I also have a near constant ache over that facet joint.  Can that also mimic a feeling of 'tearing/pulling' muscles?  I've had this a while but it has worsened considerably over the last few months.  Can this also mimic pleurisy?  MRI scan show what was termed as 'normal wear and tear for someone my age' - I'm 61.

Any  advice greatly appreciated, thanks, Stefania

9

Hi all,

My partner was diagnosed a year ago with facet joint arthritis and 2 bulging disks.

Physio doesn't help as what helps one thing makes the other worse, he's on various medications that no longer work and is absolute agony.

He had a consultant appointment next month to discuss injections.

I hate seeing him in so much pain, he's only 27 and its effecting his every day life, he can barely climb the stairs now as he has no strength in his left leg, and he's struggling at work.

Have you found anything that helps?? We get married in 13 weeks and I'd love to try and find something that gives him some relief from the pain be it tens machine or CBD oils etc.

10

If you live in north america you may find some one near you who can provide low level light treatment.  I'll private message link.  It has helped me with some pain issues I had, but is mostly used for helping with healing injuries.  I reckon bulging discs are a kind of injury.  A physiotherapist is usually the kind of practitioner who provides it, sometimes a chiropractor althou your partner obviously needs to avoid any manipulation of the spine, at least at this time.

11

Hi Lottie90.

My doctor has gave me some new tablets called Baclofen. They are a muscle relaxant and I have found these to help a lot. He said they are a bit like Valium but don't make you Sleepy. Maybe you should research then.

Good luck with your wedding. 👍

12

And dry needling can be used to alleviate muscle spasms.  

13

Hi gizmo can you tell me what widespread osteoarthritis does to you please . I also have lumbar pain and cervical but also thoracic too . But I seem to be getting pain in other joints in the body now

14

i was diagnosed 5 years ago. i get injections in facet joints as needed. usually every 3 -4 months. they work.

15

facet injections work for me. they last average of 3 months. once they lasted for 4 years.

16

I have had severe lower back pain for the last six months and have tried PT, chiropractors, acupuncture, spinal decompression therapy all without a lot of help. My pain specialist is going to try a medial branch block next Tuesday to see if the facet joint is causing my pain. Since it hurts with walking and lying down and when I bend backwards it seems likely we will discover I have a facet problem

17

It is widely believed that curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. And for this reason, it’s frequently used as a supplement by many people to help with joint symptoms.

Active Atoms is the supplement I have been using and it has been rewarding and life changing.

18

Well, I'm a little older...65.....I was walking three years ago, at least a half mile 3 days a week... I love being sedentary though...I stitch... hours sometimes.... But with the walks all of a sudden I started having muscle cramps...in my hips and legs....they were awful and painful....As I have MS, about 35 yrs now...I just thought it was another SYMPTOM...but because of MRI results the facet joint arthropathy was diagnosed. So, my first inclination was to get me to PT so that I could maintain mobility.... Find a good PT....You will need to stretch and move daily to be at your best. My neuro was willing to offer me muscle relaxers....I won't go there YET...... I've been to 3 PT and a chiropractor.... Best PT did dry needling for pain relief! Its wonderful. and learning good exercises and stretches were critical.......Being still at night aggravates the muscle cramping....So, first thing in the morning stretches......Too much of anything, moving or sitting etc. aggravates....And as I have MS...just means I have to think about what I do daily...... Find a good PT....