Facet Joint Pain

Relief for spinal arthritis and mechanical back or neck pain

Facet joint pain arises from inflammation, degeneration, or irritation of the small joints located at the back of the spine. These joints help guide spinal motion and provide stability. When irritated, they can produce persistent neck or back pain that worsens with movement and prolonged standing.

Facet-related pain can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine and is a common contributor to chronic mechanical spine pain, particularly with aging and degenerative changes.

At Resolution Spine & Joint, we specialize in accurately diagnosing facet-mediated pain and offering targeted treatments designed to reduce inflammation and interrupt the pain pathway.

Common Symptoms

Facet joint pain often presents as:

• Localized neck or back pain

• Pain worse with extension, twisting, or prolonged standing

• Morning stiffness

• Muscle tightness or spasms

• Referred pain into the shoulders, buttocks, or thighs without true nerve compression

Unlike disc herniations, facet pain typically produces mechanical, position-dependent discomfort rather than sharp nerve-dominant symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors

Facet joint irritation may develop from:

• Age-related osteoarthritis

• Repetitive strain and mechanical stress

• Prior spinal injury or trauma

• Disc degeneration increasing facet load

• Poor posture and spinal biomechanics

When discs lose height, facet joints absorb more stress, a subtle but powerful biomechanical shift that accelerates arthritic change.

Diagnosis

Facet pain is primarily a clinical diagnosis supported by targeted testing, including:

• Comprehensive physical examination

• Pain pattern assessment

• Imaging to evaluate degenerative changes

• Diagnostic medial branch blocks to confirm the facet joint as the pain source

Diagnostic blocks are important because imaging findings alone don’t reliably predict pain. Many people have arthritic facets without symptoms, the nervous system, not the image, determines suffering.

Treatment Options at Resolution Spine & Joint

Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and interrupting the pain signals from the affected joints.

Conservative Care

• Physical therapy emphasizing mobility and stabilization

• Activity modification and posture correction

• Anti-inflammatory strategies when appropriate

Interventional Treatments

• Facet joint injections to reduce inflammation

• Medial branch blocks for diagnosis and temporary relief

• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to provide longer-term pain relief by disrupting pain-transmitting nerves

RFA is often highly effective for confirmed facet pain, with relief lasting many months as the targeted nerves slowly regenerate.

Potential Consequences if Untreated

• Chronic mechanical pain

• Reduced mobility and flexibility

• Muscle guarding and fatigue

• Decline in activity and conditioning

• Secondary pain from altered movement patterns

Facet pain rarely causes dangerous neurologic problems, but it can quietly erode quality of life through persistent mechanical discomfort.

When to Seek Evaluation

Evaluation is recommended when:

• Neck or back pain persists beyond several weeks

• Pain limits activity or sleep

• Conservative treatments provide minimal relief

• Pain worsens with extension or rotation movements

Early diagnosis helps prevent prolonged pain cycles and unnecessary imaging or ineffective treatments.

Why Choose Resolution Spine & Joint

• Expertise in diagnosing mechanical spine pain

• Advanced image-guided interventional procedures

• Rapid access to diagnostic blocks and treatment

• Individualized plans focused on restoring movement and function

• Compassionate care emphasizing long-term relief rather than temporary masking

Facet pain patients often bounce between providers without clarity, your clinic’s diagnostic precision is a major differentiator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is facet joint pain arthritis?
Often yes. Degenerative arthritis is a common cause, though inflammation and mechanical stress also contribute.

How long does radiofrequency ablation last?
Relief commonly lasts 6–12 months, sometimes longer.

Will facet injections cure the problem?
They reduce inflammation and pain but do not reverse structural degeneration.

Is exercise safe with facet pain?
Yes. Guided movement and stabilization are typically beneficial.

References

• North American Spine Society (NASS)

• American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP)

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)