Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is marked by the gradual deterioration of the articular cartilage within joints. In the spine, the joints that connect adjacent vertebrae and allow them to bend and extend freely are called facet joints. These joints are especially vulnerable to deterioration because they are involved in many movements while bearing the body’s weight. Once the cartilage wears away, bare facet articular surfaces grind against each other, causing inflammation, pain and stiffness, and stimulating the formation of bone spurs, or osteophytes. Bone spurs are extra growths of bone that pose the risk of compressing nearby spinal nerves.

Spinal DJD, also called facet disease or spinal osteoarthritis, is primarily caused by the natural aging process, though it can be accelerated by factors like obesity, smoking, overexertion, gender, illness and genetic predisposition. It is not necessarily a symptomatic condition and, in fact, most people older than 50 probably have some degree of mild spinal joint degeneration that they don’t even notice. Symptoms occur when inflammation becomes more severe and/or anatomical abnormalities, like bone spurs, press on spinal nerves.

SpineOne patients receiving a combination of therapeutic injections and physical therapy for DJD have reported significant improvement in their pain levels and quality of life. These treatments are out-patient and minimally-invasive alternatives to invasive surgery. SpineOne’s physicians are specialists in these procedures, and have helped thousands of Colorado residents reduce their pain and improve their range of motion.

The exact treatment plan varies from patient-to-patient. Your doctor will recommend one or more of the following treatments in your personalized wellness program.

This condition is similar to Facet Joint Syndrome and follows similar presentation