Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joints (also called Zygapophysial Joints) are the joints in the spine that connect two vertebrae to each other. There are two between each vertebrae on each side of the vertebrae. Their job is to provide stability and support to the spine. These joints can degenerate with age, injury or arthritis. Another cause is spondylolisthesis, the slippage of bones in the spine. Symptoms are usually present at the area of the facet joint and can occur anywhere along the spine.

A common treatment is a facet joint block, in which a numbing medication and anti-inflammatory medication is injected into the facet joint suspected of causing the pain. If the injection relieves the pain, nerve ablation may be the next recommended treatment.

Read about Facet Joint Cysts

Return to Conditions Treated by Interventional Pain Management

Make an appointment for Facet Joint Pain

Call (757) 596-1900 to schedule an appointment with an OSC Interventional Pain Physician. Visit our Contact Us page for information on office hours. Our office is located in Newport News, VA. We are 40 minutes from Virginia Beach and an hour from Richmond, VA.