Disc pathology or Facet joint dysfunction?

by connor whittall in Uncategorised

Disc pathologies and facet joints dysfunctions are two completely different types of injures. However, they share the each 33 vertebrae and have fundamental purposes for allowing stability, motion and day to day tasks.

Disc pathology

What is it?

A disc pathology is when one of the discs in your back (usually lower back or neck) protrudes out and hits on the nerve causing pain. Depending on which disc is affected and how much it is compressing the nerve will determine where your symptoms are located. In the lower back you can get pain in the lower back, into the hip and down the leg or both. In the neck your symptoms could be in your neck, down your arm, or both.

What does it feel like?
Disc pain can be described in many different ways including sharp shooting pain, like an electric shock, burning and usually a general constant ache.
Some people experience more local pain in the back or neck where others only feel the pain down the arm or leg eg in their calf, side of the leg or outside of the arm .
Painful tasks include bending down to put socks or shoes on, standing up from sitting, getting out of bed, getting in or out of the car, lifting or carrying things, looking up, looking down.
You may have noticed tingling, pins and needles or numbness in your calf or foot, or in your fingers or forearm.
If you look in the mirror you may see that you are shifted to one side or you are holding your neck shifted to one side.

What causes disc pathologies?
Discs are located in between vertebrae in your spine and act as shock absorbers. If you have an impact injury or fall from a height you can get a split in the disc. When you do repetitive movements (extension within an part of the vertebrae) in the same direction the nucleus of the disc can slowly come out through the split and eventually hit on the nerves coming from your spine. This causes intense pain along the nerve and the compression of the nerve can cause numbness and weakness to the muscles and area that are normally supplied by that nerve.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?
Your Physiotherapist can diagnose disc pathology from your symptoms but a more specific diagnosis regarding the true extent of your pathology will required a full physical assessment. Further investigations such as x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be required if your symptoms are severe and your symptoms are not settling with rehabilitation. You should discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your therapist so they can determine if this is necessary.

Treatments;

  • Joint mobilisation
  • Joint manipulation
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Heat/ice therapy
  • Taping
  • Advice and education
  • Pilates
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Postural exercises
  • Acupuncture
  • Activity modification advice

Facet Joint Dysfunction

what is it?

Facet joints are relatively tiny joints which join vertebrae and allow for motion of the spine. Joint dysfunction occurs when a joint becomes fixed and painful; this can happen anywhere in the spine (neck, midback, low back). Generally, you’ll experience reduced range of motion and pain in the region of the joint. Often, muscle spasm or guarding is also present. Additionally, specific pain referral patterns are often found. In certain individuals, joint dysfunction has a propensity to recur.

What causes facet joint dysfunction?
Too much bending backwards, sideways of forwards is often a cause of facet joint dysfunction.
Lots of the same repetitive movement can cause facet joint syndrome to come on gradually over a period of time or it may occur instantly due to a sudden movement or injury.

What are the symptoms of facet joint dysfunction?

Often you will experience a rapid onset of back pain when you are doing the activity that causes the dysfunction though you may also experience stiffness and pain after the activity that has caused the dysfunction and you may feel symptoms the next morning.
Pain is often felt on a single side of your spine and sometimes it can be felt in the leg or buttock on the affected side- this is known as referred pain. You may also feel muscle spasms around the affected facet joint.
Your symptoms may be made worse when doing: twisting, forward bending, sideways bending, arching backwards or when sitting for a long time.

What medical advice should you seek?

Facet joint dysfunction 
Your physiotherapist will complete a full subjective and objective assessment when you come in for your first appointment. On assessment they will be able to diagnose facet joint dysfunction or see if something else is causing your symptoms. A CT scan or MRI scan can be used to confirm diagnosis.

Treatments;

  • Joint mobilisation
  • Joint manipulation
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Heat/ice therapy
  • Taping
  • Advice and education
  • Pilates
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Postural exercises
  • Acupuncture
  • Activity modification advice

 

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge within the human spine, then watch these interesting videos.

 

Link directly below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV4ILsaVSXc– disc pathology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqbXyreyss0– facet joints