Facet Joint Syndrome: The Overlooked Source of Back Pain

Back pain can have many causes, and some are easier to recognize than others. Facet joint syndrome is often overlooked, even though these small joints play an important role in spinal movement and stability. Knowing how facet joints contribute to back pain can help you better understand what may be happening in your spine.

At Pacific Pain Medicine Consultants in Oceanside and Encinitas, CA, Nathan Perrizo, DO, and Brooke Towne, MD, are board-certified specialists with advanced training in pain medicine. They use their interventional pain care experience to diagnose and treat a wide range of spine-related conditions.

What Is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joints are small joints located between the vertebrae. They help stabilize your spine while allowing it to bend and twist. Changes in these joints due to aging, injury, repetitive strain, or arthritis can make them a source of back or neck pain.

Facet joint problems can develop in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. For people seeking care for lower back pain in Encinitas, determining which structures are causing the pain can help guide treatment.

Why Is Facet Joint Syndrome Easy to Overlook?

Several factors can make facet joint syndrome difficult to identify:

• Back pain can have several sources: Different structures in and around the spine can cause discomfort.
• Pain alone may not reveal the cause: Different spine conditions can feel similar.
• Neck pain can be complex: Cervical spine discomfort may sometimes extend toward the shoulder area.
• Shoulder pain may have another cause: Not all shoulder discomfort originates in the spine.
• A thorough evaluation matters: Your pain specialist can assess the possible source and determine suitable care options.

How Do Pain Specialists Diagnose and Treat Facet Joint Pain?

Your evaluation may include a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and imaging when appropriate. A diagnostic medial branch block can also help determine if the facet joints are contributing to your pain.

Treatment depends on what your evaluation reveals. Care may include physical therapy, medication, injections, or radiofrequency neurotomy for certain cases.

Find Back Pain Care in Encinitas and Oceanside, CA

Finding the cause of your discomfort is an important part of pursuing back pain relief in Encinitas, CA. If you’ve been searching for a back pain specialist near you in Encinitas, Pacific Pain Medicine Consultants can evaluate your condition and discuss suitable treatment options.

To schedule a consultation, call our Oceanside location at 760-941-7336 or 760-943-6494, or our Encinitas location at 760-753-1104.