Facet joint pain
Pain in the neck and back joints (facet joint syndrome)
If you have pain in the facet joints, HCA UK’s team of experts can help diagnose and treat you.
About
Pain or stiffness in these joints can be caused by a number of things, including injury, locked joints or arthritis.
Need to know
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Symptoms of facet joint pain icon plus
Pain in the facet joints can also cause pain in the neck, back, shoulders, chest, abdomen, bottom, groin or legs. The location of the discomfort will depend on which facet joints have been affected.
Facet joint syndrome can be caused by injury and ageing. In some cases, ‘overloading’ these joints is caused by a degeneration of spinal discs, which means that the pressure that is usually absorbed by the discs is transferred to the facet joints.
Symptoms may also include:
- difficulty twisting and bending
- muscle weakness and numbness
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Diagnosis icon plus
Your consultant will physically examine you and discuss your medical history.
Tests they may recommend include:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI scans
These scans will enable a more detailed picture of any abnormalities or degeneration in the facet joints.
An appointment with a physiotherapist may also be recommended. -
Potential treatment options icon plus
Treatment options will be fully explained to you by your consultant. Options may include:
- Massage and muscle stretching, to allow joints to release, improving mobility and strength
- steroid injections, to reduce pain and inflammation
- acupuncture
- radiofrequency, to cauterize the nerve
- ultrasound and electrostimulation to treat muscle spasms
- surgery. This may be an option if other treatments don’t work. This usually involves fusing two vertebrae together and inserting metal screws across the joint. A bone graft may be used to help fuse the vertebrae together
Our consultants
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London W1G 8BJ
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Chelsea Outpatients
272 & 280 Kings Road
London SW3 5AW
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
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HCA UK at The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 1NY
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London W1G 8BJ
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Chiswick Medical Centre
Bond House
347-353 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4HS
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344