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Facet Joint Pain

Facet joints or zygapophysial joints are considered common sources of chronic spinal pain.[1] They are dense with nerves, nerve endings, and pain sense organs. Lumbar and cervical facet joint capsules can undergo high strains during spine loading, making them liable to RF Inflamed NervesInflamed nervous tissue caused by painful friction in the facet joint arthritic changes and trauma secondary to flexion-extension and torsion injuries.[2]In addition to causing localized spinal pain, facet joints may refer pain to adjacent structures. Lumbar facet joints may radiate pain to the back, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Cervical facet joint pain may refer to the head, neck, and shoulders.[1]

Consistent with criteria established by the International Association for the Study of Pain [3], facet joints may be a source of chronic pain in 15% to 45% of patients with chronic low back pain and 36% to 60% of patients with chronic neck pain.[1]

Symptoms in the lower back:

  • Pain or tenderness in the lower back
  • Pain that increases with twisting at the waist or bending backward and extending the lower back
  • Pain that moves to the buttocks and hips or the back of the thighs—usually a deep, dull ache
  • Stiffness or difficulty with certain movement, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair

Symptoms in the neck:

  • Difficulty rotating the head
  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain

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