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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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
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Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"The professionalism he and his team displays on each visit."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"The x-ray tech was very nice and of course Dr Safman was super."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Everyone was very kind and considerate very helpful"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"The professional care done with a sense of warmth and humor."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu 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"Prompt response to any of my concerns."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Dr. Safman and her staff are highly professional in their manner yet are also personable and calming. Her high level of expertise is evident during each procedure she has performed on me."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Such a great staff and doctors"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"They seemed to be right on top of everything"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Dr and his team always listen and remember me and my various problems ...I don't feel like a stranger"Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
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