How is facet joint syndrome treated?

Facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine that help guide movement. Irritation in these joints can cause local back pain and stiffness, sometimes with protective back muscle spasm. Symptoms may be worse with leaning backwards, twisting or standing for a long time, but similar patterns can come from other back conditions.

A clinician uses your history and examination to assess whether the facet joints are a likely pain source. Scans may show age-related changes without proving that they are causing symptoms, so the examination remains important.

Keep gently active and vary sitting, standing and walking rather than staying in one position for long periods. Physiotherapy can build trunk and hip strength, improve movement control and address habits that repeatedly load the lower back. Pain relief may be considered with advice suited to your health history.

A facet joint injection may be used to place medicine near the suspected pain source and can also help clarify the diagnosis. If relief is temporary and the facet nerves remain a likely source, radiofrequency ablation may be discussed. These procedures are not appropriate for every type of back pain.

Arrange an assessment if back pain keeps returning, limits walking or sleep, or does not settle with sensible activity changes. Seek urgent medical care for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, progressive leg weakness, fever or severe pain after trauma.

What findings make the facet joints a likely pain source? Which exercises should I start with? Would a facet joint injection help confirm the source, and when would radiofrequency ablation be considered?