• Thoracic Deformity in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
• Trends in Spinal Pain Procedure Volumes and Reimbursements: An Analysis of 20 Years of Medicare Data
• Efficacy of high energy, focused ESWT in treatment of lumbar facet joint pain - a randomized sham-controlled trial
• Assessment of real-world, prospective outcomes in patients treated with lumbar radiofrequency ablation for chronic pain (RAPID)
• Influence of local anesthesia methods on the results of radiofrequency facet denervation
• Isolated congenital vertebral anomaly and Sprengel's deformity in a WBP11 pathogenic variant
• Imaging of Craniovertebral Junction Instability, Fixation, and Stenosis in Children
• Biportal endoscopic lumbar discectomy surgery in patients with cauda equina syndrome caused by lumbar herniated intervertebral disc: a retrospective multi-center cohort study

Ghormley originally used the phrase ‘facet joint syndrome’ to depict back pain caused by pathology at the facet joints ¹⁾ ).

The facet syndrome is not a reliable clinical diagnosis ²⁾.

Facet joint osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent form of facet joint syndrome.

Cervical Facet joint syndrome

Lumbar Facet joint syndrome

Lumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS) is the cause of low back pain in 15-54% of the patients.

Cervical facet joint syndrome

Medical history, referred pain patterns, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging studies (standard radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography) may suggest but not confirm lumbar facet joint syndrome as a source of low back pain (LBP). However, the diagnosis and treatment of facet joint syndrome is still controversial and needs further study. It is widely acknowledged that block with local anesthetic is perhaps the most effective method to establish a diagnosis of pain from LFJ. Particularly, there are different rates of success among different populations selected for diagnostic block with various positive criteria.

Perhaps the most definitive diagnosis of facet joint pain can be made by a facet block,

Relief of the acute or chronic problem during the time of action of this combination of drugs is diagnostic.

Currently, in addition to conservative treatments for pain such as painkillers, functional exercises, and massage, there are many other methods, including block, denervation of the nerves that innervate the joints by radiofrequency, freezing or endoscopy, and injections. Due to the limited duration of pain relief from neurolysis of medial branch, many scholars have recently turned their targets to dorsal roots and LFJ capsules. ³⁾

Surgical treatment options for these symptoms revolve around decompression of the compressed neural elements. Fusion would also be done if needed for any underlying or resultant instability ⁴⁾