Bilateral facet arthropathy
 

Does anyone know what this is? I have it at 3 or 4 cervical vertebral levels. Does anyone know what can be done for this? I also have a ton of shoulder blade and shoulder pain, I do not know if its cause of this or a herniation in the thoracic area.

According to the medical dictionary arthropathy is "disease of the joint." The facets are those "wing-like" bony structures on each side of the spine, going all the way down your spine. If you hunch your back, you can feel them.

So according to this, you have diseased facet joints. There are no discs in the facet area so there's no herniations.

I honestly don't know what can be done for this -- I am ASSUMING that it is probably something like osteoarthritis, but I could be VERY WRONG. You would have to ask your doctor.

I wish I could help you more. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee ;)

Hi Martina, I have this and a bunch of other stuff. Mine is from prior injuries and I have had radio frequency ablation done to the facet joints to relieve the pain. You would have to see if you are a candidate for it and see a pain management doctor to discuss it. Ask your doctor if he thinks this may help you. Other things to consider are TENS unit, lidocaine patches, and meds, usually anticonvulsants or antidepressants. Good luck.

I also have this but in my lumbar region. My pain management doctor told me it was arthritis.

I've had epidural steroid injections that helped but only for a couple of weeks. Am having the radio frequency ablation procedure done this week. Can't wait for some relief.