What Are the Treatments for Facet Joint Disease?

The facet joints are the connections between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. Facet joint disease, more commonly called facet joint syndrome, is inflammation in the facet joints, and the treatments are similar to treatment for any other type of joint inflammation.

Causes

• According to Cedars-Sinai, facet joint syndrome occurs because of injury or arthritis.

Symptoms

• In the lower back, symptoms of facet joint syndrome include pain or tenderness with increased pain when you twist or arch your body, pain in the buttocks or back of the thighs, and stiffness or problems standing up straight or getting out of a chair. In the neck, facet joint syndrome symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, headaches and trouble rotating your head.

Conservative Treatments

• The possible conservative treatments for facet joint disease are anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, exercise and posture improvement.

Steroid Injections

• Injections of corticosteroids (called a facet nerve block) can reduce swelling and pain, but the effect is temporary and possible side effects include weakening of surrounding tissue.

Surgery

• In severe cases, a surgeon can cut the front or back of the spinal nerve roots to relieve pain. The procedure is called rhizotomy.