OUR SERVICES
Facet Joint Pain
Understanding the "Hinges" of Your Spine
If you are struggling with persistent back pain or stiffness that worsens with movement, your facet joints may be the underlying cause. These joints act as the “hinges” that allow your spine to bend, twist, and stabilize. When they become inflamed or damaged due to injury or age, the resulting pain can limit your daily activities. At New South Medical, we specialize in diagnosing and treating facet joint pain through advanced, minimally invasive interventional techniques.
What Are Facet Joints?
Facet joints are small, synovial joints located at the back of each vertebra in your spine. They connect your vertebrae to one another and play a crucial role in maintaining spinal stability while allowing for flexible movement. Like the joints in your knees or fingers, facet joints are lined with cartilage and can become worn down over time or irritated due to trauma, leading to a condition commonly known as Facet Joint Syndrome. Using precise radiofrequency energy, our physicians create a small lesion (or burn) on the specific medial branch nerve responsible for your pain. By disrupting these nerve pathways, we can provide significant, long-term relief without the need for invasive surgery.
Conditions We Treat
Facet joint pain is often distinct from disc-related pain because it typically worsens with extension (bending backward) or twisting. We commonly treat patients experiencing:
Facet Joint Syndrome:
Chronic irritation and inflammation of the joint capsule.
Spinal Arthritis:
Age-related wear and tear (osteoarthritis) of the facet cartilage.
Facet Joint Hypertrophy:
Enlargement of the joints that can narrow the spinal canal.
Whiplash & Trauma:
Sudden injury to the neck or back that causes acute facet inflammation.
Our Approach to Treatment
At New South Medical, we believe that long-term pain relief requires a targeted approach. We move beyond general pain management by identifying the specific joint responsible for your discomfort. Our treatment options include:
Diagnostic Facet Joint Injections: A procedure to confirm if the facet joint is indeed the source of your pain.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A highly effective, minimally invasive procedure that uses heat energy to disable the nerve responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joint.
Medial Branch Blocks: Targeted injections used to provide temporary relief and confirm diagnostic findings.
Customized Physical Therapy Referral: Coordinating with your rehabilitation plan to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if my pain is coming from my facet joints?
Facet joint pain typically manifests as localized back or neck pain that feels worse when you lean backward or twist your torso. It rarely travels down the legs in the same way nerve-compression (sciatica) pain does. A physical exam and diagnostic imaging are the best ways to confirm the source.
Are facet joint injections permanent?
Injections provide significant anti-inflammatory relief, which can last for several months. For patients seeking longer-lasting relief, we often follow up with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which can provide relief for 6 to 12 months or longer.
Is facet joint pain the same as a herniated disc?
No. While they can coexist, they are different issues. A herniated disc usually involves the soft “cushion” between vertebrae putting pressure on a nerve (often causing radiating pain), while facet joint pain is usually caused by the mechanical irritation of the joint hinge itself.
How do I schedule a consultation?
If you are in the Marietta or greater Atlanta area and are tired of living with chronic pain, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our pain management specialists. We will review your history, perform an exam, and create a personalized plan to get you moving again.