Each vertebrae in your spine has two sets of facet joints that help to connect the bone to the adjacent vertebrae. These joints sit on the backside of your vertebrae, with the superior articular facet facing upwards and the inferior articular facet facing downward. Together, the joints work like a hinge to facilitate normal movements in the spine, like bending, twisting and extension. A number of key nerves pass through and in close proximity to these joints, and if a problem causes joint dysfunction, nerve irritation and associated symptoms can develop.
One such condition that can lead to nerve issues in your spine is facet hypertrophy. This condition develops when the facet joints enlarge, leaving less space for the nerves to pass unimpeded. This enlargement irritates or damages spinal nerves, potentially causing a host of uncomfortable symptoms. In today’s blog, we explore why spinal hypertrophy develops, the symptoms it can cause and how Dr. Jackman can help treat the problem.
Causes And Symptoms Of Facet Hypertrophy
Arthritic degeneration as a result of natural aging, poor posture, repetitive movements or acute injury is the most common cause of facet hypertrophy. When the joint begins to deteriorate, the body works hard to repair bone loss or bone damage. Your body can’t perfectly repair this degeneration with new bone growth, which can cause the joint to actually enlarge as the bone repairs itself. This is especially true when bone spurs end up developing in the area. This excess bone takes up space normally reserved for nerves, and if this new growth irritates or damages the nerves, symptoms can develop.
Symptoms of spinal hypertrophy vary, and they may develop on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of your body depending on how the nerves are impacted. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, but know that symptoms will likely only get worse unless treatment is sought. Some of the most common symptoms of facet hypertrophy include:
- Pain in the lower back, buttocks, or thighs
- Limited range of motion in the lower back
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or a tingling sensation
- Stiffness
- Gait abnormalities when walking
- Muscle spasms
If you are dealing with any of these symptoms, especially if you are above the age of 50 and likely dealing with some natural facet joint degeneration, consider setting up an appointment with your primary care physician or a spine specialist like Dr. Jackman. As we mentioned above, the condition will likely get worse without treatment, so it’s imperative that you do what you can to alleviate symptoms and prevent further joint enlargement.
Diagnosing And Treating Spinal Facet Hypertrophy
If you are dealing with the above symptoms or believe you may be dealing with spinal hypertrophy, your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam. They will be watching to see how your back and your body respond to different movements and actions throughout the physical exam. This can help tell them more about your issues, but because the symptoms of facet hypertrophy mimic those of other common conditions (like spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease), they likely won’t be able to provide a precise diagnosis without additional tests. X-rays with contrast dye, MRIs, CT scans or corticosteroid injections can all help a doctor determine that facet joint enlargement is the root cause of your discomfort.
If you’ve been diagnosed with facet hypertrophy, your doctor will talk with you about your treatment options. There is no way to completely reverse the joint changes, so treatment will focus on preventing further progression and restoring comfortable movement in your spine. To achieve this, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of non-operative techniques like activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, posture improvements, dietary changes, weight management, hot/cold therapy or massage therapy.
If those treatments don’t help improve symptoms, more hands-on treatment may be necessary. The next step typically involves a corticosteroid injection to block out painful nerve relays, but you will still be asked to pursue non-operative recommendations while the nerve block is providing relief. In rare instances the facet joint may be surgically addressed, but most patients achieve enough relief through other means that an operation is not recommended.
For more information about spinal facet joint hypertrophy or other issues that can affect the joints in your spine, give Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute a call today at (651) 430-3800.
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