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"The care team is great. They do keep an eye on you if you are having a problem."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"Everyone was so nice. it helped calm my anxiety about the procedure. Also, once I arrived all went smoothly and no wait time."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Very efficient in providing the L4-L5 lumbar epidural. It has definitely helped."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Dr Safman and team care about you. I do not feel like I am just a number to them. I have a lot of Faith in them and love them for caring."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Just explaining what he was doing during the procedure made it very easy."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Explaining what he was going to do for procedure."Provider: Balaji (Bobby) S Charlu MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"I felt that everyone was very competent and professional and that I was in good hands."Provider: Kimberly Safman 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"I think Dr. Safman is an excellent clinician. I totally trust her sticking long needles into me. She is good at explaining what she is doing and at asking how you are doing during the course of the treatment."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
Spinal Injections Epidural/Facet"Prompt response to any of my concerns."Provider: Kimberly Safman MD
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