Same-Day MVA Appointments Available — No Insurance Required | Lien-Based TreatmentFacet Joint Syndrome in Merrillville, Indiana
Facet joint syndrome is a common source of neck and back pain that frequently results from the sudden, jarring forces of a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury. Merrillville Injury Care provides specialized facet joint diagnosis and treatment for injury patients in Northwest Indiana.
Understanding Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are small, paired joints located on the back of the spine that guide spinal motion and provide stability. Trauma from a car accident, fall, or workplace injury can damage the facet joint capsule, cartilage, or surrounding ligaments, causing inflammation and pain. Facet joint pain is typically localized to the neck or lower back and worsens with extension (arching backward), rotation, and prolonged standing.
Diagnosis and Interventional Treatment
Facet joint syndrome is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination findings, imaging studies, and diagnostic facet joint injections (medial branch blocks). If a diagnostic block provides temporary relief, it confirms the facet joint as the pain source. Treatment options include facet joint corticosteroid injections for short-term relief and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerves for longer-lasting pain reduction — typically providing 6 to 18 months of relief.