What Is Facet Arthropathy?
Minimally Invasive Relief for Cervical & Lumbar Facet Arthropathy
Spine arthritis, also called facet arthropathy, is a leading cause of chronic back and neck pain in adults. The facet joints are small joints in the spine that provide stability and allow smooth movement. Over time, these joints can wear down due to age, injury, or repetitive stress — causing inflammation, stiffness, and nerve irritation. At Elite Vascular, our pain management specialists focus on cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) facet arthritis, offering non-surgical treatments to relieve pain and restore mobility.
Facet arthropathy is a type of spinal arthritis caused by degeneration of the facet joints. As the cartilage that cushions these joints wears away, the bones rub against each other, leading to:
Cervical Facet Arthropathy – Pain and stiffness in the neck, sometimes radiating into the shoulders or upper back
Lumbar Facet Arthropathy – Lower back pain that may spread into the hips or thighs
Unlike herniated discs that cause sharp nerve pain, facet arthritis usually creates deep, aching pain that worsens with movement or prolonged standing.
Common Symptoms of Facet Arthropathy
Patients with cervical or lumbar facet arthritis may experience:
Localized neck or lower back pain
Stiffness that worsens in the morning or after inactivity
Pain that increases with extension (leaning backward)
Headaches (with cervical arthritis)
Pain relief when sitting or leaning forward
Muscle spasms near the affected joints
These symptoms may come and go or gradually worsen over time.
How We Treat Spine Arthritis at Elite Vascular
At Elite Vascular, we specialize in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to reduce inflammation and block pain signals from arthritic facet joints:
Facet Joint Injections – Corticosteroid and anesthetic medication injected into the joint to reduce inflammation and provide relief
Medial Branch Blocks – Target the nerves that carry pain signals from the arthritic joint for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Provides longer-lasting relief by deactivating the medial branch nerves responsible for pain
Comprehensive Imaging & Diagnostics – Ensures accurate diagnosis and precise targeting of affected joints
These procedures are performed in-office under local anesthesia, with little to no downtime, allowing patients to resume daily activities quickly.
How We Treat Spine Arthritis at Elite Vascular
Board-certified pain management specialists with advanced training in spine conditions
Comprehensive diagnostics to distinguish between arthritis, disc disease, or nerve compression
Non-surgical, office-based treatments with proven success in relieving chronic back and neck pain
Personalized care plans that focus on function, mobility, and long-term wellness
Collaborative approach with vascular and pain expertise under one roof
At Elite Vascular, we look beyond surface symptoms to treat the true cause of your pain.