Head/Neck Injuries >Ā Facet Joint Dysfunction
Facet joints are small joints between your vertebrae that run along the outside of your spine. Facet joint dysfunction can occur when a small piece of connective tissue between the joints gets pinched or folded, resulting in a ālockedā facet.Ā It can also be caused by age-related degeneration of the cartilage that covers those joints. Facet dysfunction is most common in the neck, but can occur at any level of the spine.
Mechanism of Injury: Most people with facet joint dysfunction will report that they ājust woke upā with neck pain and were not able to turn their head.Ā You might also feel it lock with a mild trauma, like rapidly turning your head or with a golf swing.
Contributing Factors: Poor joint or soft tissue mobility, lack of warm-up for rotational activities (golfing, pitching, etc.), poor posture.
Signs/Symptoms: Pain in the back or neck. Loss of range of motion. Stiffness/tenderness around the affected area. Occasional radicular symptoms into the adjacent limb.
At Home Tests: Range of motion of the affected area - if you experience a consistent sharp pain or blocked feeling with one direction, you may have facet joint dysfunction (see video).Ā
At Home Treatment: Avoidance of irritating activities. Gentle range of motion. Heat. NSAID usage.
When to Seek Help:Ā Contact your physical therapist as soon as possible. Facet joint dysfunction does not typically improve on its own, and physical therapy can correct the problem in as few as 2-3 visits. Contact your urgent care physician if you notice numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your arms or legs.
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Treatment at Inspired Athletx:Ā Your physical therapist will use soft tissue mobilization, which can include dry needling, to reduce the muscle spasm associated with facet joint dysfunction. Once the soft tissue mobility is improved, your doctor of physical therapy will perform gentle joint mobilizations to āunlockā the affected joint. Home exercises will improve range of motion and neck stability exercises.Ā Click here to schedule a physical therapy evaluation with us.
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Disclaimer: The content contained in this section of the website is intended for informational purposes only.Ā It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to function as a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.
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