Facet Joint Pain

The Facet Joint connects the posterior elements of the spine and is prone to degenerative changes. The facet joint carries up to 1/3 of the loading force of the lumbar spine. Osteoarthritis of the joints leads to cartilage fissures, fraying and erosions. Hereotopic Growth (bony spurs) leads to instability and inflammation. Degeneration of the Facet Joints account for approximately 10-15% of the cases with chronic low back pain.¹

Symptoms of Facet Joint Pain Include:

Constant aching
Dull or sharp pain
Pain worsens with movement
Localized pain, but can refer pain to the hip or buttock area

The common types of nonsurgical treatments for facet joint pain are:

Lumbar Facet Block is procedure where medicine is injected directly into the joint.
Cervical Facet Block is procedure where medicine is injected into the cervical facet joint.
Medial Branch Block is a procedure where the facet joints are "innervated" by sensory nerves that come off the posterior aspect of the corresponding spinal nerve. These small sensory nerves "dorsal ramus medial branches form a lattice work sensation of the facet joints. Local anesthetic block of the Medial Branch Block can temporarily interrupt the pain signal carried to a specific facet joint.

Reference

1. Pope JE, Cheng J. Facet (Zygapophyseal) Intraarticular Joint Injections: Cervical, Lumbar, and Thoracic. Injections for Back Pain. 129-135. ClinicalKey.com. Accessed July 16, 2019.

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Stories about our Facet Joint Pain Services

- Pain Management
Interventional Procedure
“Dr. Safman is caring and communicates well. The discomfort from the spinal injection is very minor. She makes it an easy procedure.”

Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
- Pain Management
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet
“Setting of expectations: that the injection might or might not work, and that another may be needed. The follow-up care has also been very helpful and is appreciated.”

Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
- Pain Management
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet
“The office seams to run so efficiently. I hardly waited at all. Everyone seems genuinely concerned for my comfort and about my recovery. Best doctor/doctor's office I have ever been to.”

Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
- Spine
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet
“Very positive experience, she even remembered me from several years ago.”

Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
- Pain Management
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet
“They were caring and careful with my care.”

Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
- Pain Management
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet
“Dr. Charlu, Darren & the office staff were competent and sensitive to my questions and my care.”

Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD