Facet disease treatment will be aimed at mitigating discomfort in your back, neck, and extremities so that you can lead an active life. Treatments will not “cure” the condition, since facet disease is really a non-curable degenerative condition and not a “disease” in the usual sense of the word. However, conservative, non-surgical treatments are usually effective at managing symptoms and can help patients avoid having to consider the option of surgery. Common treatments include physical therapy, low-impact exercise, gentle stretching, hot/cold compresses, medication, and behavior modification, among others.

Injections as a Form of Facet Disease Treatment

More targeted pain management techniques are available for patients whose symptoms do not respond well to the above conservative treatments, but who are not yet ready to consider an invasive surgery. Facet joint injections are a commonly used form of facet disease treatment because they are minimally invasive and deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the joint space, which is much more effective than a standard oral medication that is dispersed throughout the entire body. Cortisone, which is a steroid hormone, and an anesthetic, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, are injected into the joint to reduce inflammation that may be compressing a nearby spinal nerve, and also to block pain signals.

The Difference between Injections

If you decide to do your own research about facet disease treatment and associated injections, you may come across several different types of injections. Be sure that you know the difference between them and that you’re clear about which one your doctor is suggesting:

– Facet joint injections – a long-lasting, slow-release steroid injected directly into the joint space that can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.

– Trigger point injections – tight muscle knots than can sometimes cause spasms or painful contractions are treated with direct injections of anesthetic; often used to treat back pain related to tight bands of muscle fibers, not facet disease.

– Epidural steroid injections – injections of anesthetic and cortisone into the outermost layer of the spinal canal, just outside of the dura mater; relieves inflammation in the spinal canal that could be causing neural compression.

Risks and Side Effects of Injections

As with any type of medication or procedure, side effects are possible. Prior to receiving any injection, ask your doctor to review the risks with you. The most common side effect that patients experience after a medicinal injection, like a facet joint injection, is pain around the area where the needle was inserted, though this generally only lasts for a few days. Other possible side effects are bleeding, nerve damage, a worsening of symptoms, and infection. The cortisone steroid itself can also cause some side effects, including weight gain, increased blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, fluid retention, and insomnia.

Surgical Facet Disease Treatment

For most patients, conservative facet disease treatment methods combined with targeted pain management techniques will likely be enough for them to lead active, fulfilling lives without surgery. However, there are some individuals who will require surgical intervention. Minimally invasive procedures are available, during which a small laser and other micro-surgical tools are used to deaden the nerve that innervates the affected facet joint. Talk to your doctor and do some research on your own to find out whether or not you may be a candidate for this type of outpatient, endoscopic spine procedure.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of facet disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Facet disease