06/30/2026
Understanding Facet Joint Pain
What Is Facet Joint Pain?
Facet joints are small, paired joints located along the back of the spine at every level, allowing the spine to bend, twist, and extend. When these joints become irritated, arthritic, or inflamed, they are a common source of chronic back or neck pain, particularly pain that worsens with extension or twisting motions. Florida Orthopedic & Spine Institute diagnoses and treats facet joint pain in Naples, Florida.
How Facet Joint Pain Is Diagnosed
A diagnostic medial branch block or facet joint injection is often used to confirm the source of pain. A small amount of anesthetic is injected at the suspected joint under image guidance, and if the injection provides clear, if temporary, relief, it confirms that joint as the pain source. This diagnostic step matters because facet pain can mimic disc-related or muscular pain, and treating the wrong source doesn't resolve symptoms.
Treatment Options
Once the facet joint is confirmed as the pain source, treatment options include repeat therapeutic injections for temporary relief, or radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to disrupt the small nerves supplying that joint for longer-lasting relief, often six months to over a year, though results vary by patient. These treatments are typically considered before any surgical option is discussed, and many patients manage facet-related pain long-term without ever needing surgery. Questions before your consultation? Call (239) 522-2002 or reach us at [email protected].
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