The Facet Joint connects the posterior elements of the spine and is prone
to degenerative changes. The facet joint carries up to 1/3 of the loading
force of the lumbar spine. Osteoarthritis of the joints leads to cartilage
fissures, fraying and erosions. Hereotopic Growth (bony spurs) leads to
instability and inflammation. Degeneration of the Facet Joints account
for approximately 10-15% of the cases with chronic low back pain.1
Symptoms of Facet Joint Pain Include:
Constant aching
Dull or sharp pain
Pain worsens with movement
Localized pain, but can refer pain to the hip or buttock area
The common types of nonsurgical treatments for facet joint pain are:
Lumbar Facet Block is procedure where medicine is injected directly into the joint.
Cervical FacetBlock is procedure where medicine is injected into the cervical facet joint.
Medial Branch Block is a procedure where the facet joints are "innervated" by sensory
nerves that come off the posterior aspect of the corresponding spinal
nerve. These small sensory nerves "dorsal ramus medial branches form
a lattice work sensation of the facet joints. Local anesthetic block of
the Medial Branch Block can temporarily interrupt the pain signal carried
to a specific facet joint.
Reference
1. Pope JE, Cheng J. Facet (Zygapophyseal) Intraarticular Joint Injections:
Cervical, Lumbar, and Thoracic. Injections for Back Pain. 129-135. ClinicalKey.com.
Accessed July 16, 2019.
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Related Testimonials
Interventional Procedure"Dr. Safman is caring and communicates well. The discomfort from the spinal injection is very minor. She makes it an easy procedure."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Very personable and like how they find solutions other than surgery. Entire staffing team has been great!"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Positivity. They want you to get better and suggest things that need to be done."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Pain Management"I can talk easily with both Dr. Safman and Naomi. They seem very caring."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"I felt like the entire team was very caring."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Everyone was very kind and considerate very helpful"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"They make you feel comfortable during your procedure and are very compassionate."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Dr. Charlu and his team are very good and compassionate with their patients."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"The description of the diagnostics were very well explain including the recommendations for the treatment."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"They were caring and careful with my care."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Everyone is very nice"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Dr. Charlu and his team was very nice and considerate. Dr Charlu did a good job and I feel better."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
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