Do I Need an Anchorage Personal Injury Attorney for Facet Joint Syndrome?

 


Many people have never heard of Facet Joint Syndrome, although the condition affects millions of people each year.  If you are a victim of FJS due to the aftermath of an accident, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you understand your rights and collect compensation to pay for treatment for this condition.

What Is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joint syndrome is a condition of the spine.  It is similar to arthritis in that it is degenerative or causes changes to the spine’s structure over time.  Specifically, it causes a breakdown of the cartilage in the facet joint, the tiny area between the vertebra and the spinous process.  The facet joint is responsible for a great deal of the movement and flexibility of the spine, so injuries to or degeneration of this joint can cause stiffness, pain and swelling.

The symptoms of FJS often start out as a dull ache in the lower back that spreads to the hips.  FJS can also occur in the neck, where it often radiates pain to the base of the skull and the shoulders.  Pain is often made worse by bending backwards and twisting sideways, and prolonged periods of inactivity, particularly sitting, may increase pain levels.  One thing doctors will look for in diagnosing the condition is whether leaning forward eases the pain; this is often an indication that pressure put on the facet joint is the problem.


What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joint syndrome can come from getting older and engaging in repetitive motion for many years.  Obesity and poor posture are other contributors.  However, when a formerly healthy person suddenly develops FJS, it is often due to an injury.

Spinal injuries are one of the leading causes of FJS, especially in otherwise healthy individuals.  A car accident, slip and fall, or other trauma to the neck or spine can quickly lead to facet joint degeneration, pain and ultimately loss of movement.  For this reason, it is critical that anyone experiencing an accident in which a neck or back injury is possible seek solid legal advice about collecting damages for medical bills, which may be ongoing far into the future.

How Is Facet Joint Syndrome Treated?

There are several ways to treat facet joint syndrome, depending on the severity of the condition.  In mild cases, physical therapy combined with medication may be enough to stimulate healing over a period of time.  However, some serious cases require nerve ablations or even surgery.

Nerve ablation is a treatment that requires killing off the nerve endings to permanent reduce pain.  It is used only as a last resort, but it has been shown to be effective in lifelong treatment of FJS.  Surgery may also be required to fuse the bone together to stop the pain, but this surgery comes with its own set of risks.  Clearly, FJS can be an invasive and life-changing issue for its victims that ultimately requires serious medical intervention to correct.

As a leading Auto Accident Attorney in Anchorage, Barber & Associates have many years of experience in dealing with the complications arising from spinal and neck injuries.  If you need professional help from a car accident lawyer, contact Barber & Associates today to learn more about how we can help you stand up for your rights and recover compensation for your injuries.


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