Spinal pathologies

Dorsal Facet Syndrome

Dorsal Facet Syndrome is a common cause of chronic back pain originating in the facet joints or zygapophyseal joints of the thoracic spine.

These small joints, located at the back of the thoracic vertebrae, are essential for the stability and mobility of the thoracic spine. Degenerative, inflammatory, postural, or traumatic processes can cause irritation and wear and tear of these joints, making them a significant source of persistent back pain.

Dorsal facet joint pain can significantly affect functionality, trunk mobility, and the patient’s quality of life.

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What are the most frequent causes?

The dorsal facet joints can be affected by multiple factors, including:

Dorsal vertebral osteoarthritis
Associated disc degeneration
Biomechanical and postural overload
Scoliosis and vertebral alignment disorders
Dorsal hyperkyphosis
Thoracic or vertebral trauma
Chronic muscle contracture
Age-related degenerative changes

In many patients, dorsal facet syndrome coexists with myofascial pain and associated muscle alterations.

What are the most common symptoms?

Dorsal facet joint pain usually manifests as:

Pain localized in the dorsal or interscapular region
Sensation of chest stiffness
Pain that worsens with certain movements or postures
Dorsal muscle contracture
Functional limitation of the trunk
Pain radiating to the ribs or back of the chest
Muscle fatigue and postural overload

The pain usually increases with extension or rotation of the trunk and improves partially with rest.

Specialized diagnosis

Diagnosis requires adequate clinical and radiological correlation to identify the joints responsible for the pain.

Treatment of Dorsal Facet Syndrome

The treatment will depend on the degree of joint degeneration and the clinical characteristics of each patient.

At VERTEBRA SpinePain & Regenerative SURGERY CENTER we provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to dorsal facet pain through conservative and advanced interventional treatments.

Among the available therapeutic options, the following stand out:

Specialized pharmacological treatment
Physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation
Postural correction and muscle strengthening
Dorsal medial branch blocks
Radiofrequency denervation of medial branches of facet joints
Treatment of associated myofascial pain
Regenerative and biological therapies

Dorsal facet radiofrequency is one of the most effective techniques for treating chronic facet pain in selected patients.

At VERTEBRA SpinePain & Regenerative SURGERY CENTERS we have advanced experience in the diagnosis and interventional treatment specializing in dorsal pathology and pain intervention, offering advanced and personalized treatments using high-precision techniques for the treatment of chronic spinal pain.