Facet Joint Pain
The facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine that guide movement. Like other joints, they can become arthritic and inflamed, a common source of chronic neck and low-back pain known as facet arthropathy.
Symptoms
- Aching neck or low-back pain that worsens with twisting or leaning back
- Pain that is worse in the morning or after inactivity
- Pain that may spread to the shoulders, buttocks, or thighs
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
Causes
Facet pain usually comes from age-related wear and arthritis, sometimes accelerated by prior injury or repetitive strain.
How it's diagnosed
Because facet pain overlaps with other back pain, physicians often confirm it with a diagnostic nerve block: if numbing the nerves to a joint relieves your pain, that joint is the source.
How we treat it
After a positive diagnostic block, radiofrequency ablation can interrupt the pain signals from the affected joint for lasting relief. Physical therapy and medication support the result.
When to see a physician
See a physician if back or neck pain persists beyond a few weeks or limits your daily activity.
Common questions
How do you know facet joints are causing my pain?
A diagnostic medial branch block temporarily numbs the nerves to a facet joint; meaningful relief points to that joint as the source and predicts response to ablation.
How long does relief from ablation last?
Because treated nerves regenerate slowly, relief often lasts many months, and the procedure can be repeated when pain returns.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Your physician will recommend what's right for you.
Living with facet joint pain?
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