Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet Joint Syndrome

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is facet joint syndrome?

    The facet joints are the connections between the bones of the spine. These joints allow the spine to bend and twist, and they keep the back from slipping too far forward or twisting too much. Facet joint syndrome occurs when these joints get stressed and damaged due to injury, everyday wear and tear, or disc degeneration. 

    Appointment Information

    For musculoskeletal-based back and spine conditions, call:

    Comprehensive Spine Program

    At the Comprehensive Spine Program, a nationally acclaimed team of back and spine care experts collaborates to deliver the most effective treatments, tailored to each patient, whether surgical or non-surgical.

    Learn about the spine program

    What are the symptoms of facet joint syndrome?

    Symptoms depend upon the area of the spine that is affected. If the cervical or upper spine is damaged, you may feel pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper and middle back. You may also experience headaches. If the lumbar or lower spine is affected, you may feel pain in the lower back, buttocks and back of the thigh. 

    How is facet joint syndrome diagnosed?

    To diagnose the source of back pain, we will take a medical history and conduct a medical exam. Based on our findings, we may use the following diagnostic tools:

    • Imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans or an MRI 

    If we need more information, we may need to do: 

    • Bone scan 
    • Bone density test 
    • Facet joint injection – for diagnosis and possible treatment
    • Medial branch nerve block – for diagnosis and possible treatment

    How is facet joint syndrome treated?

    Facet joint syndrome is first treated with non-surgical procedures such as:

    • Rest, ice and/or heat
    • Anti-inflammatory medications
    • Physical therapy
    • Medial branch nerve blocks followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for diagnosis and treatment

    If non-surgical treatments do not relieve pain, a bone fusion may be recommended.

    Locations
    • Back & Pain Center | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy
      Floor 1
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions
    • Back & Pain Center | Canton Health Center 1051 N Canton Center Rd
      Floor 1
      Canton, MI 48187-5097       Get Directions
    • Back & Pain Center | Dexter Health Center 7300 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd Ste 110
      Floor 1
      Dexter, MI 48130-8598       Get Directions
    • Neurosurgery Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
      Floor 2 Reception G
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions
    • Spine Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 1
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Spine Clinic | Chelsea Health Center 14700 E Old US Highway 12
      Chelsea, MI 48118-1185       Get Directions
    • Spine Procedure Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Goodarz Micheal Golmirzaie, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery Of The Spine

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Mohit Rastogi, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

    Ronald Arthur Wasserman, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

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