Lumbar facet joint pain

At the back of the spine, small joints called facet joints connect each vertebra to the next. They guide movement and carry part of the load. Just as in the hip, cartilage here can wear out, causing inflammation and pain.

Facet joint pain often occurs together with hip complaints. This is called the hip-spine syndrome: back and hip influence each other. A stiff hip increases the load on the lower back, and a stiff back can overload the hip. That is why we always assess both when you have pain in the buttock, groin or thigh.

• Low back pain, often one sided, radiating into the buttock and the back of the thigh
• Pain that worsens when leaning backwards, twisting and standing for long periods
• Relief when bending forward or sitting
• Morning stiffness that improves with movement
• The pain usually stops above the knee, unlike lumbar radiculopathy

Groin pain points more towards the hip, for example hip osteoarthritis. Pain higher in the back and buttock points more towards the facet joints.

Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, X-rays and sometimes MRI. A targeted test injection into the facet joint confirms the diagnosis when the pain temporarily disappears.

• Physiotherapy focused on core stability and hip mobility
• Adjusting load and working posture
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• An image guided injection
• A nerve treatment of the facet nerves by the spine specialist for persistent complaints

Unsure whether your pain comes from the back or the hip? Use the symptom explorer or make an appointment.