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Regenerative Medicine

Facet joint OA — ultrasound-guided PRP for lumbar and cervical facet OA

Deep back pain that worsens with extension and rotation is a typical sign of facet joint involvement.

We combine diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided PRP and targeted spine rehab.

Medically reviewed by Johan Hedevåg, MD

Ultrasound diagnosis1,000+ treatmentsNo referral required
Regenerative treatment for facet joint-related back and neck pain.

Facet joint OA is cartilage wear in the small facet joints of the spine and a common cause of chronic low back and neck pain. Ultrasound-guided PRP in the facet joints is an evidence-based alternative to repeated cortisone injections and radiofrequency ablation.

79%
rated 'good' or 'excellent' at 3 months (Wu 2016)
PMID 27906940
Autologous
your own platelets — no foreign material
6–12 wk
typical time to noticeable improvement

What is treated?

Tap a condition to read more.

How it works

  1. Single visit (~45 min)
    1. 01Ultrasound examination & diagnosis~15 min
      A licensed physiotherapist identifies the affected facet level with diagnostic ultrasound and clinical provocation testing, and creates an individual plan.
    2. 02Ultrasound-guided PRP injection~30 min
      60–180 ml of blood is drawn, centrifuged, and platelet-rich plasma is injected with ultrasound precision directly into the affected facet joints.
  2. 03Pre-optimisationIf needed0–3 months
    In cases of overweight, insulin resistance or systemic inflammation, we optimise metabolic health and loading patterns to maximise the PRP response for upcoming treatments.
  3. 04Rehab and follow-upOngoing
    Individualised programme for core and spinal stability, movement control and load tolerance with gradual return to activity.
  4. 05Maintenance treatmentIf neededEvery 3–6 months
    For chronic facet joint OA, maintenance treatment every 6 months can help sustain pain relief and avoid radiofrequency ablation.

What is facet joint OA?

Facet joints are the small joints at the back of the spine that guide movement and stability. When cartilage in these joints wears down, facet joint OA develops — one of the most common causes of chronic low back and neck pain. Typical symptoms are deep pain worsening with extension and rotation.

How we treat facet joint OA

We start with a diagnostic ultrasound examination and clinical provocation testing to identify the affected facet level. Based on that, we combine ultrasound-guided PRP in the facet joints, targeted spine rehab and load adaptation.

Questions about Facet joint osteoarthritis

Frequently asked questions

Other conditions we treat

Knee osteoarthritisTennis elbowPlantar fasciitisRunner's kneeAchilles tendinosisShoulder osteoarthritisHip osteoarthritisWrist osteoarthritisThumb CMC osteoarthritisFinger joint osteoarthritisAnkle osteoarthritisToe osteoarthritis

Read more

Ready to book an examination?

We always begin with a thorough examination by a licensed physiotherapist with diagnostic ultrasound.

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