
Spine Disorders
TREATMENT OPTIONS There are
multiple treatment approaches available for individuals with facet disease.
These include a multitude of conservative approaches ranging from chiropractic
care to local injections, radiofrequency ablation of the facet joint to
surgical fusion of the bones (in extreme cases). If the
symptoms are limited to pain with movement (mechanical pain) a conservative
approach is usually beneficial. This may include:
Severe facet
arthropathy and related bone spurring can cause narrowing of the neuroforamen,
a term referring to the openings on either side of the spine where the spinal
nerves exit. If the nerve becomes
compressed a surgical procedure called a foraminotomy many be required to take
pressure off of the nerve and provide more space around the nerve. Severe
facet arthropathy can lead to excessive movement of the involved spinal
segment. This occurs secondary to a loss of disc volume, thinning of the facet
joint space and loss of support from degenerative surround ligaments. The extra
spinal segment movement is often referred to as hypermobility, instability
and/or spondylolisthesis depending on the degree and pattern of involvement. If
the condition and related symptoms can not be managed adequately with
conservative methods surgical stabilization (fusion) of the involved segment
may be nessecary. This should always be a last resort. |