Center for Pain Management

Facet Syndrome

Each segment of the spine forms two facet joints (left and right) with the segment above and two facet joints with the segment below. Spinal arthritis involving these joints is often referred to as facet syndrome. Facet joint pain can also occur acutely following trauma such as motor vehicle accident. Similar to other joints in the body these joints are made up of bone covered in cartilage, nerve supply, and ligaments to hold the joint together. These joints can therefore become painful in the same ways as other joints including degenerative joint disease (arthritis) which develops over time, or acute sprain or subluxation.

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the canal through which the nerve roots or the spinal cord runs. The spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae which are actually rings of bone. The spinal cord is encased in the tube formed by the centers of the rings. Between each segment there is a foramin or opening through which a nerve root exits the spinal canal. Central stenosis is narrowing of the central canal and can cause pressure on the spinal cord. Foraminal or lateral stenosis is narrowing of the opening for the nerve roots and can cause compression of these nerve roots resulting in radiating pain into the arms or legs. Individual with stenosis in the low back often have more pain with standing or walking and less pain when bent forward or sitting. Spinal stenosis can be congenital or caused by disc degeneration, bone spur formation, or instability.