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What Are Facet Joints, and Why Do They Matter?

Your spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. Between each of these bones are facet joints, which help your neck move smoothly and provide support for your head and spine. However, when these joints become irritated or injured—often due to trauma—they can become a major source of pain and stiffness.

At Keystone Medical Group, we regularly treat patients with facet joint injuries caused by car accidents, work-related injuries, and sudden impacts. These injuries are common, but they are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. That’s why it’s important to understand what to look for.

How Do Facet Joint Injuries Happen?

Facet joints can be injured in a variety of ways. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Rear-end car accidents that whip the neck forward and back

  • Falls or slips that cause sudden compression of the spine

  • Workplace injuries involving heavy lifting or awkward neck movements

  • Sports impacts or repeated strain over time

Even if you didn’t hit your head, the force of a crash or fall can easily affect these small joints in your neck.

Symptoms of a Facet Joint Injury

Symptoms from a facet joint injury can show up right away—or they may appear days later. Common signs include:

  • Localized pain on one or both sides of the neck

  • Stiffness, especially when turning your head

  • Pain that worsens with movement or after sitting for long periods

  • Headaches, especially at the base of the skull

  • Referred pain into the shoulders or upper back

Because these symptoms can overlap with other injuries like whiplash or muscle strain, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.

How Keystone Medical Group Diagnoses Facet Joint Pain

At Keystone Medical Group, we use a combination of physical exams, imaging, and advanced diagnostics to pinpoint the source of your pain. This may include:

  • MRI or CT scans to look at the joints in detail

  • Diagnostic injections to confirm if a specific facet joint is causing the pain

  • Neurologic evaluations if symptoms involve nerves or referred pain

Once we identify the problem, we can begin treatment right away.

Effective Treatment Options for Facet Joint Injuries

Fortunately, most facet joint injuries can be treated without surgery. Our team creates a personalized treatment plan that may include:

  • Physical therapy to restore motion and reduce stiffness

  • Anti-inflammatory medications or injections to relieve joint pain

  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for longer-lasting pain relief in chronic cases

  • Posture and movement retraining to prevent future injury

We take a whole-body approach to healing, working closely with pain management doctors, neurologists, and rehabilitation specialists.

Serving Patients Across the Kansas City Area

Our clinic treats patients from all over the metro area, including:

  • Overland Park

  • Lee’s Summit

  • Independence

  • Raytown

  • Shawnee and Lenexa

If you’re suffering from neck pain after an accident in Kansas City or a nearby community, you don’t have to keep guessing what’s wrong. We’re here to help.

Call Today to Get Relief From Neck Pain

If you suspect a facet joint injury or have ongoing neck pain after a crash, don’t wait to seek care. The longer these injuries go untreated, the more difficult they can be to manage.

Call Keystone Medical Group at 816-705-2842 today to schedule a thorough evaluation. We’ll help you find the source of your pain and guide you toward lasting relief.