Facet Joint SurgeryHowever, in particular circumstances, joint degeneration can become problematic and may become uncomfortable or even downright torturous to endure. When these cases do not respond to more conservative care, surgery is often suggested. This article will focus on surgical interventions used to resolve the issues thought to cause facet joint symptoms. Facet Joint Surgery Procedures
Back surgery
for facet joint problems is not common. Severe cases of
facet joint pain
are sometimes treated with a
laminectomy
and often, an add-on
foraminotomy.
These procedures are typically very invasive and will force the patient to endure a long and painful
recovery
period. Extreme cases of facet joint syndrome are sometimes treated with
spinal fusion surgery.
This is perhaps the most invasive of all spinal surgeries. All efforts should be taken to bypass any surgery for facet joint pain and spinal fusion should be avoided at all costs, except in the most dire of scenarios. Of course, the procedure selected will be determined by the suspected mechanism for pain. The above are usually used when there is reason to suspect significant neurological involvement, such as bone spurs greatly narrowing the neuroforaminal spaces and impinging on a nerve root, in addition to the mechanical pain endured due to facet deterioration. Alternatives to Facet Joint Syndrome SurgeryOnly a few patients with confirmed facet joint pain can be successfully treatment non-surgically. Even those stubborn facet joint symptoms which resist conservative treatment can usually be alleviated with either epidural injections, spinal decompression or a minimally invasive procedure, such as facet rhizotomy. There are also other minimally invasive techniques which may not address the degeneration directly, but can make the affected areas stop hurting longterm or even permanently.Remember that physical back pain usually responds well to appropriate medical treatment. Symptoms that remain unresolved despite many varied therapy attempts might be the result of a psychosomatic back pain condition. In order to cover this possibility, a comprehensive knowledge therapy program should be included into the patient’s back care regimen. Recommendation on Facet Joint SurgeryAlthough surgery is not used as often for facet joint pain as for most other spinal conditions, it is still prescribed for some patients. Before even considering surgery, a patient should usually completely exhaust all enlightened conservative therapy options. Spinal decompression is one of the newer approaches used to relieve facet joint pain. Although results are not as good as the symptom relief provided to disc problems, spinal decompression is still relatively effective and is non-invasive.If surgery is the right treatment for your facet syndrome symptoms, make sure to find an experienced surgeon who has demonstrated good operative results. Like all things in life, surgeons are not created equal, so if you must endure a surgical procedure, be sure to hire the very best you can find. Also, remember to learn about your many different choices for invasive procedures, since your choice will have a significant outcome on your results. Facet Joint Surgery to Back Pain 10/1/08 Revised 12/18/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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