Facet Joint Pain Treatment in Cincinnati - APSI Wellness
Expert facet joint pain treatment in Cincinnati. Diagnose and treat facet-mediated back and neck pain at APSI Wellness.
Facet Pain — Facet pain originates from the small joints connecting each vertebra, causing localized back or neck pain that worsens with movement — one of the most common sources of spinal pain.
What Is Facet Pain?
Facet pain (facet syndrome or facet arthropathy) originates from the facet joints — small, paired joints at each level of the spine that connect adjacent vertebrae and guide spinal movement. These joints are lined with cartilage, surrounded by a capsule, and richly innervated by medial branch nerves.
When facet joints become inflamed, arthritic, or injured, they generate pain that is typically felt as a deep, aching discomfort in the neck or back, often worsening with certain movements. Facet pain is estimated to account for 15-45% of chronic back pain and 36-67% of chronic neck pain cases.
Symptoms
Deep, aching pain in the neck or back — usually on one side
Pain worsening with extension (arching backward), rotation, or prolonged standing
Morning stiffness
Pain that does not typically radiate below the knee or elbow (unlike disc-related nerve pain)
Tenderness over the facet joints on examination
Relief with forward bending (flexion)
Treatment Options at APSI Wellness
Diagnostic medial branch blocks — the gold standard for confirming facet joint pain
Facet joint injections — anti-inflammatory medication injected directly into the joint. Learn more in our facet joint injection blog
Radiofrequency neurotomy — long-lasting relief by disrupting pain-transmitting nerves
Medical management — anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy referral — core strengthening and flexibility exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
How is facet pain diagnosed?
While history and physical exam can suggest facet pain, the definitive diagnosis is made with diagnostic medial branch blocks. If numbing the nerves to the facet joints significantly reduces your pain, it confirms the facet joints as the source.
What is the best treatment for facet pain?
For long-lasting relief, radiofrequency neurotomy is considered the most effective treatment for confirmed facet-mediated pain, providing 9-18 months of relief. Facet joint injections provide shorter-term relief and can be used for diagnosis and initial treatment.
Can facet pain cause headaches?
Yes. Upper cervical facet joint pain can cause cervicogenic headaches — headaches that originate from the neck and are felt in the back of the head, temples, or behind the eyes.
Is facet pain the same as arthritis?
Facet arthropathy is a form of spinal arthritis. However, facet pain can also result from acute injury, capsular tears, or synovitis without significant arthritic changes.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
https://apsiwellness.com/conditions/facet-pain