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COVID-19 tools and resources: symptom checker, safety measures, and visitor, testing and vaccine info. Learn more.
Small joints called facet joints link the vertebrae in the spine, providing stability and allowing the spine to move and bend appropriately. As these joints age, the cartilage that surrounds them can harden and thicken, causing pain and tenderness. Known as facet joint arthritis or facet arthropathy, this degenerative condition is a key cause of neck and/or lower back pain.
Unlike the nerve root condition sciatica, facet joint arthritis typically presents as pain in a general area or region of the neck or back. The pain associated with facet joint arthritis tends to worsen with physical activity. However, it can be more troublesome in the morning.
The symptoms of facet joint arthritis can be similar to those of other common spine problems, such as a muscle strain.
Signs that you may be suffering from facet joint arthritis include:
Facet joint arthritis is usually the result of wear and tear. Therefore, it most commonly affects individuals 55 and older. Common risk factors include:
Diagnosing facet joint arthritis can be difficult due to the often sporadic occurrence of symptoms. However, medical imaging tests can be helpful in identifying arthritis in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine. Imaging tests that may be used to diagnose the condition include:
Facet joint injections, sometimes call facet joint blocks or medial branch blocks can also be helpful in diagnosing the condition. The procedure entails injecting a local anesthetic to block the nerves that sense facet joint pain. If you experience relief, then it’s likely that the identified facet joint is in fact the cause of the problem.
There are various non-surgical treatment options for facet joint arthritis, including:
If your symptoms persist or get worse, you may require surgery.