What Causes Facet Joint Pain?
Diagnosing facet joint pain is complicated because X-rays, CT scans, bone scans and MRIs cannot establish whether or not a facet joint is the source of pain.
The most reliable way to diagnose facet joint pain involves using an X-ray controlled anaesthetic injection into either the joint or its nerve supply. If the injection temporarily makes the pain go away, it’s a good indication that the problem is in your facet joint.
However, this result can only be trusted if your pain is consistent. If it tends to come and go by itself, then it’s hard to know whether the injection made the pain go away or whether it subsided by itself.
The pain sometimes goes down my leg – how does that come from the back?
What should I be doing with my facet joint injury?
If you present with acute (sudden onset) pain, then your doctor may prescribe medication to ease the pain, inflammation and/or muscle spasm. You may need this relief for a week or so.
If pain persists past that, see your doctor again to review your diagnosis and medication. Don’t adjust your medicine by yourself as the right treatment varies depending upon individual circumstances.
The only treatment proven to work for facet joint pain is radiofrequency neurotomy that targets the nerve supply to the joint.
Unlike the hip, knee and shoulder joints, there is so far no joint replacement available. Regenerative therapies may play a role, but these have yet to be tested
Our experienced pain doctors and therapists can assess your symptoms and determine if facet joint pain is likely to be the cause. If it is, we can recommend treatment options, including radiofrequency neurotomy.
Please book an appointment to find out how we can help you.