In the spine, the joints connecting each of your vertebrae are known as facet joints. Other names for facet joints include zygapophyseal or apophyseal joints. Like any other joint in your body, each facet joint's job is to promote healthy movement and, along with the intervertebral disc, provide stability for each motion segment. The disc functions as a spacer and to support motion between the vertebral bodies. This forms a tripod relationship between the intervertebral disc and the facet joints. Degeneration or damage to one affects the other.
Inflammation of the facet joints can cause back pain, neck pain, headaches, pain between shoulder blades. Facet joint syndrome also limits range of motion.
The effects of aging and/or traumatic injury can damage and cause inflammation of the facet joints.
Learn more about facet joint syndrome by watching an educational video.
Our interventional pain physician, Dr. Anil K. Sharma, is a leading practitioner of state-of-the-art techniques specializing in the use of minimally-invasive techniques to treat spinal disorders. He has performed over 70,000 spinal procedures in his 27+ years of clinical practice.
Our specialists treat all major painful conditions from refractory headaches to spine and extremity pain. Learn more about just some of the conditions we treat and treatments we offer by viewing educational videos provided by our office.
Our office is centrally located for patients in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Our state-of-the-art procedure room includes the newest C-arm and Ultrasound machines for office-based procedures. We also have accredited surgical centers in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Neptune.