Facet Joint Disease Surgery

Facet Joint Disease Surgery

Facet joint disease surgery typically is considered elective unless the associated symptoms threaten to destroy a patient‘s quality of life. Facet joints are a vital component of the spinal anatomy. They exist in pairs along the length of the spine, providing mobility and stability for the vertebrae. Years of twisting and bending can begin to wear down the facet joints, which leads to a reduction of spinal stability. In turn, reduced spinal stability can lead to compression or irritation of spinal nerve roots or of the spinal cord itself. Nerve compression within the spine produces symptoms including pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.

Surgical Treatment for Facet Joint Disease

Most people with facet joint disease can manage their symptoms using a regimen of conservative treatment that might include pain medication, physical therapy, exercise, lifestyle modification, or other methods. However, if chronic symptoms remain debilitating after several weeks or months, surgery may become an option. One of the most common open back or neck procedures used to treat symptoms associated with facet joint disease is a facetectomy. This highly invasive procedure involves the complete or partial removal of the affected facet joint in order to eliminate the source of nerve-related pain, followed by stabilization techniques that frequently include spinal fusion using metal plates, bone grafts, rods, and screws.

A Minimally Invasive Alternative

At Laser Spine Institute, facet joint disease is treated endoscopically using a procedure known as facet thermal ablation. This minimally invasive procedure is similar to a root canal performed by a dentist. The facet joint is cleaned and the nerve that innervates the joint is deadened, eliminating the source of the debilitating pain. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more, or for a consultation with a member of our medical staff.