Recognizing Facet Disease Symptoms

Most facet disease symptoms - neck or back stiffness, localized tenderness, even radiculopathy caused by nerve compression - can easily be mistakenly attributed to other degenerative spine conditions. These include bulging discs, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage) and other conditions. There is only one way for patients suffering from back or neck pain and related symptoms to know for sure whether facet disease is the cause, and that is to undergo a comprehensive examination from a doctor or spine specialist.

Diagnosing Facet Disease Symptoms

At the first sign of back or neck pain that lasts more than a week, a doctor should be consulted. Pain that lasts any longer than a week could signal the beginnings of a chronic condition, generally defined as symptoms that last 3 months or longer. Acute symptoms, on the other hand, usually are not considered long-term, but how can you tell the difference?

Acute neck or back pain often is a result of muscle strain or ligament sprain, and normally can be managed with hot or cold applications, along with over-the-counter medicine and rest to allow swelling to subside. If home remedies fail to provide meaningful relief over the course of a week or so, the symptoms may become chronic - which means a degenerative spine condition could be to blame, and it's time to see the doctor. If fever, headaches, confusion, vomiting, loss of bowel or bladder control, or other seemingly serious symptoms accompany your neck or back pain, you should seek emergency medical care.

Diagnostic Tools Used by Medical Professionals

What will happen when you arrive at the doctor's office? In addition to an analysis of the patient's medical history, a doctor will ask questions about the nature, severity, and location of the suspected facet disease symptoms. An examination will test range of motion and could include palpation of the neck and back with the hands in an effort to locate an anatomical abnormality within the spine. Medical imaging may be ordered, including an X-ray, MRI or CT scan. This stage of the diagnostic process usually is enough to confirm the presence of a degenerative spine condition like facet disease, after which a treatment plan can developed based on sound and accurate information about the patient's condition.