Are you struggling with lower back pain and want relief? While lower back pain has many causes, facet joint syndrome is one of the most common. As a trusted pain specialist in New Jersey, NJ Pain Care Specialists can diagnose facet joint pain and help reduce the symptoms through several effective methods.

Diagnosing Facet Joint Syndrome

To diagnose facet joint pain, your doctor will ask about your medical history and physical symptoms before performing an examination. If they suspect you have facet joint syndrome, doctors have two reliable methods for diagnosing the condition.

Imaging Tests

An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI often confirms a facet joint diagnosis because the tests can show  abnormalities in the synovial joints, such as reduced cartilage or damage. 

Facet Joint Block 

During a facet joint block, the doctor injects an anesthetic and steroid into the suspected problematic joint. If you experience a significant reduction in pain, the doctor can confidently diagnose you with facet joint syndrome.

Risk Factors for Facet Joint Syndrome

What causes facet joint syndrome? You can understand what causes the condition by knowing your risk factors.

Age and Sex

One study published in the International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed that facet joints were the cause of lower back pain in over 66% of a rural population between the ages of 46 and 85. This shows that this age group is most at risk of developing facet joint syndrome. The study also determined females had a higher prevalence of the condition than males.

Injury

Injury to the facet joints is a major cause of facet joint pain, which is why car accidents, falls, or overexertion put you at risk of developing the condition. This can include jobs or exercise routines that involve frequent heavy lifting, twisting, or stretching.

Medical Conditions

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of facet joint syndrome. Pockets of fluid between your vertebrae called synovial cysts are also highly correlated with facet joint syndrome, though they may be a symptom rather than a cause.

Other Conditions Like Facet Joint Syndrome

According to the National Library of Medicine, up to 41% of people with facet joint syndrome develop chronic lower back pain. However, two other common conditions can cause back pain and may offer alternate diagnoses than facet joint syndrome:

• Cervical radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve
• Degenerative disc disease, which is the erosion of the disks between your vertebrae

NJ Pain Care Specialists Can Help Treat Facet Joint Syndrome

The NJ Pain Care Specialists team can help you understand and treat facet joint syndrome. Whether you’re wondering, “What is facet joint syndrome?” or are just looking for relief, they work with you toward a life with reduced chronic pain.

They also offer epidural steroid injections, which are effective in managing the back pain common to facet joint syndrome and its related conditions.

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. To book an appointment, call (732) 720-0247.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about facet joint syndrome.

How Do You Treat Facet Joint Syndrome?

Effective treatments for facet joint syndrome include steroid injections, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. Doctors consider these conservative treatments. In more severe cases, the doctor can perform a rhizotomy, which burns the facet nerves and prevents their ability to feel pain.

How Long Does Facet Joint Syndrome Take To Heal?

Most cases of facet joint syndrome heal in two to four weeks with proper treatment and pain management. Treatment for more severe or chronic cases could take months or manage flare-ups throughout your life.

What Makes Facet Joint Syndrome Worse?

Your facet joint syndrome can worsen if you gain weight, continue putting your body through physical exertion, or injure yourself again. To avoid making the condition more severe, manage the pain and follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely.