Mid & Upper Back

Facet Joint Arthritis

Arthritis of the small joints of the spine — a common, treatable cause of axial back and neck pain.

Understanding it

Every spinal level has a pair of facet joints, and like any joint they can develop arthritis. Facet pain responds exceptionally well to a two-step approach: a diagnostic medial branch block confirms the joints are the source, then radiofrequency ablation quiets the involved nerves for months to years at a time.

When to seek care

Axial back or neck pain that has lasted months — especially if worse with arching or rotation — is worth testing for a facet source, because the treatment pathway is well defined.

How Dr. Iyer treats it