Facet Joint Syndrome
Back pain, neck pain and headaches — all of these can be caused by the same thing. Your daily headache can actually be from facet joint syndrome, also referred to as arthritis, especially if you have several symptoms. But before you start worrying, just know that there are several paths for diagnosis and treatment for spinal arthritis, especially when you put yourself in the hands of the best sports medicine and pain management doctor in Midtown Manhattan.
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability in the United States. While no arthritis is "good" arthritis, spinal arthritis can be extremely painful and detrimental to your quality of life. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of spinal arthritis because it involves the wearing down of the cartilage between your joints.
Facet Joint Syndrome NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Not Just for the Elderly
This deterioration of the facet joint most often follows when your joint cartilage begins to break down. This condition can occur from either constant stress on the joint or damage to it directly. Spinal arthritis treatment is a necessity when you begin experiencing pain from continuous wear and tear. And age has less to do with it than you think.
While age certainly can be a factor — and it often is — spinal arthritis can also come from repetitive improper movements or even from poor posture. So even though you may love to practice racquetball in the afternoons, poor form leads to more harm than good.
When Your Back Feels Like It's on Fire
There are many reasons you can have pain in your back, radiating from your neck to your legs. More than likely, though, you're looking at facet joint syndrome, also known as spinal arthritis. Before you can even consider any spinal arthritis treatment, you need a diagnosis. To reach an accurate diagnosis, know you have to undergo an evaluation by your NYC doctor. Some common causes of facet joint syndrome or spinal arthritis include:
Daily wear and tear from poor posture or improper form
Injury to your back or neck from an accident
Breaking down of a disc
Damage to your spine, causing a nerve impingement
These symptoms resemble the symptoms of a herniated disc. This wearing down of your spine can lead to the bones in the joints rubbing against each other. If left untreated, it can cause bone spurs and other sources of pain.
Diagnosing Your Pain
When you come in for a consultation, your New York City physician asks you a series of questions that includes a history of your discomfort. Explain when it first started and how acute it feels. Your physician then questions you about your symptoms. Do you experience:
Some symptoms are very similar to other lumbar-related issues, such as sciatica and spinal stenosis. But if you consistently notice these symptoms, seek medical help and don't work out how to treat spinal arthritis yourself.
Ready to find relief from facet joint syndrome?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
How to Treat Spinal Arthritis
Treatment for spinal arthritis starts with a proper diagnosis from your New York City. Your doctor may order x-rays, an MRI or a CT scan. These imaging technologies give your doctor a look at the joints and other parts of your spine.
There are both non-surgical treatments and surgical spinal arthritis treatments once you get a diagnosis. The goal is not only to get you relief quickly, but to do it safely and in the least invasive route possible. So, while a non-invasive treatment like physical therapy may take longer, it's safer to try than surgery. The most common non-surgical options include:
- Correcting your posture
- Heat and cold, alternating
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Low-impact exercises
- Behavior modification
- A new work environment that includes ergonomic furniture
Fortunately, a combination of these treatments usually reduces your pain to a more manageable level. And while many of these facet joint syndrome treatments help ease pain, they do little to help truly severe arthritis. To relieve your pain and give your body a chance to heal on its own, you may be given injections.
If the injections don't reduce your pain, you and your NYC physician may agree that surgery is the best course of action. There are two types of surgical options: traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive decompression surgery. If needed, always opt for less invasive surgery options.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Facet Joint Syndrome Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to facet joint syndrome is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Facet Joint Syndrome Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."