Facet Joint Pain 

There are no features in the history or examination that correlated well, with pain generated by the facet joints.

There is no imaging – Xray, CT, MRI or SPECT CT that diagnoses facet joint pain. 

Facet joint pain can only be diagnosed by controlled local anaesthetic diagnostic blocks (Medial Branch Blocks). Facet joint pain cannot be diagnosed by intra articular injection of local anaesthetic. 

Pain generated by a facet joint can be treated successfully with radio frequency neurotomy. 

The greatest success is achieved when the guidelines published by the Spine Interventional Society are followed diligently.