Facet Syndrome

Damage to the Spine’s Stabilizing Joints 

Facet joints, the small joints that stabilize the spinal vertebrae and prevent excessive movement, can become inflamed due to arthritis, injury, and normal wear-and-tear. When these joints no longer function as they should, symptoms may include facet joint pain, nerve pain, and stiffness. 

When the damaged facet joints are in the upper (cervical) spine, they may cause neck pain, upper back pain, and headaches, and limit the range of motion in the head and neck. In the lower (lumbar) spine, damaged facet joints usually cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, or legs.

Center for Pain Management in Indianapolis specializes in solutions for chronic pain. If you have a diagnosis of or symptoms of facet syndrome, we encourage you to contact us. Call today to schedule an appointment: (317) 706-7246.

Facet Syndrome Symptoms

Additional symptoms of facet syndrome include:

• Tenderness/sensitivity to touch overlying a spinal joint

• Muscle spasms

• Pain that’s worse at night 

• Pain after long episodes of poor posture (hunching or slouching while seated)

• Nerve pain (if facets are inflamed enough to put pressure on nerves)

Conservative treatments are usually effective for managing this condition.

Facet Syndrome Treatment

Center for Pain Management recommends conservative treatments for facet syndrome, such as rest, heat, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. If pain persists, we may recommend a procedure called radiofrequency rhizotomy (also called radiofrequency ablation), in which a needle-like device is used to cauterize a nerve that’s causing joint pain.