03/13/2026
Inside the Spine: Why It Hurts and How We Fix It (Part 6)
Many cases of chronic back pain don’t actually start with the disc. They begin with the facet joints, two small joints in the spine that help control movement and stability.
In this video, Dr. Craig Wolf from NextGen Spine Center explains how facet joint injuries and arthritis can lead to pain, and how modern, minimally invasive procedures at NextGen Spine Center are designed to treat the problem at its source.
When facet joints become injured or arthritic, they can cause localized back pain. If treated early, the goal isn’t to remove or fuse the joint, but to restore it.
How the procedure works:
• A small camera is used to precisely access the facet joint
• Damaged cartilage is carefully removed
• Regenerative cell therapy may be applied to help support cartilage repair
Untreated facet joint damage, however, can lead to bone spurs (osteophytes) over time. These can narrow the spaces around the nerves, causing both back pain and nerve pain.
The goal of treatment:
• Remove bone spurs that are compressing nerves
• Clean out diseased tissue in the joint
• Support regeneration of healthier joint tissue
These procedures are designed to target the exact source of pain while preserving the natural movement of the spine.
▶️ Watch the video as Dr. Wolf explains how advanced minimally invasive techniques used at NextGen Spine Center can treat facet joint problems and spinal stenosis.