Facet joint osteoarthritis as a component of non-specific low back pain

Abstract

Back pain is a significant sociomedical problem due to its high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life. According to the latest data, the pain persists in a considerable number of patients for a year or even several years after its onset, which necessitates the search for a cause of the pain syndrome. The facet syndrome induces pain in 15–66% of cases and is most often due to facet joint osteoarthritis. A comprehensive clinical and diagnostic examination helps one to identify facet joint injury; and targeted pathogenetic and multimodal therapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, provides complete pain relief in most cases and slows the progression of the disease.