Dr. Chu explains everything you should know about low back and neck pain coming from the facet joints. We cover every aspect of the condition, including anatomy, causes, interventional treatments, lifestyle, and exercise. If you have facet joint pain, this is the complete guide you need.
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Great vid! I see many of people for milder cases of Facet Syndrome with good decrease in symptoms
Very helpful
Take up ‘rope flow”
Get physiotherapist, try many
Very treatable? 😃
11:07 Do not say that in Sweden.
I’ve tried absolutely everything under the sun to help with my pain. For the past 6 years (when my pain hit me like a ton of bricks) I’ve had Facet joint injections to thoracic and lumbar spine every 3 to 4 months, thoracic epidurals every 5 to 6 months, lumbar RFAs every year, been to sooo many physical therapists, tried acupuncture, trauma therapy, chiropractors, seen geneticists to see if I have markers for specific diseases, several different rheumatologists, many neurologists, and had gastric bypass to lose 125 lbs. As of now, I still cry every day from pain and frustration. My life is nonexistent. I never leave my home unless I absolutely have to. I’m alone all day because I’m legally disabled. What else can I do?!!! I’m open to suggestions but at this point I’m so depressed and disheartened despite all my efforts to help my pain. All I can do is take opioids to have some semblance of a life. Thank god for my wonderful, supportive husband.
I don't do well with needles my doctor won't increase my opids im in extreme pain
Had RFA in lumbar spine about 2 years ago. Still working pretty good! I've had the branch blocks in my neck and they worked for about 6 hours. Waiting impatiently for RFA in neck now. Great info.
Can an M.R.I detect or miss facet joint problems?
Greetings and thank you for sharing the valuable information. How can one find out what the home exercise regimen is for facet arthropathy?
So if you have advanced lower lumbar facet arthropathy, does that mean you’re screwed?
There are many people suffering not just American. America is not the centre of the universe
Tried all of that and and didn’t help at all
You should use a visual aid to show the joints
You are so great to listen to!! I really like how full of information this is, and how clear and rational!!!❤❤❤❤❤
Problem I have with the tarlov cysts that caused burning pain lower back plus severe pain at the T-6 thoracic had a bad fall injury skating accident. The Miami Spinal Pain Center gave me an opioid for my pain. Because I added more pain to it by back the in the 90s I had a Myelogram a like MRI but they put a needle into my spine it was oil based . Countless sued Drs and lawyers said that their specialists spine Drs said you cannot extract the oil back out. On top of the Myelogram . Another type of so called pain killer shot was the epidural spinal shot into right beside the spinal cord and they were supposed to use a flouresent chemical to guide the needle . Many didn't causing harm to the cord and this causing Adhesive Arachnoiditis. Inflammation that no doctor can cure . It's more to than inflammation with medical names I can't pronounce but this disease is ignored by many ost Meds and other medical people. Dr Forest Tenant has videos on it and if anyone wants real relief without the snake oil sales Drs lowering what's not going on in your spine this researcher for a lifetime does. Dr Forest Tenant. He is only one Dr trying to educate other Drs MDs etc. He has many many videos. It would be worth your time to watch and learn a real severe no cure chronic pain has a treatment .
My pain has been horrendous for yrs. Im now icing my back on the really bad pain days and it seems to help
👍
Difficult to lose weight when you’re in pain. 11:51
Thanks for this information
When my Chiro pronounced facet like this, I wondered….googled "facet" ( maybe I was ignorant) couldn't find this pronunciation… oh well, he's not the only one. 🙂
How does it go if you have osteoporosis? C6-7: Near-complete loss of disc height. Deep disc osteophyte. Large uncovertebral osteophyte, more
pronounced on the right. Minor facet joint arthropathy. Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing Multilevel degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine.
Moderate-severe left foraminal narrowing C2-3. C3-4, C5-6.
Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing C6-7.
Hi just I saw the interesting video
Can you recommend me an specialist in Montreal, if you lo know? Thank you very much
I’m a 22 year old dancer who has just been diagnosed with facet hypertrophy of the L4/L4 L4/L5 and L5/S1. I’m in so much chronic pain that started 6 months ago. I’ve tried physio, chiro, PT, acupuncture, hold and cold therapy and even just trying to continue and I just can’t do it. Extension is the worst but also have a lot of pain during flexion. Feel like my short lived life is over and I don’t know what to do, I’ve become so depressed and gone from being the most active person to none of this. Always been a healthy athletic weight, I just don’t understand. Please help me😭😭
How can i get better its been going on for 3 weeks
Nice info.
Facet joint pain can cause the worst burning pain from your waist down your legs. It feels as if your legs are on fire. If it made me feel better, I'd rather have my legs amputated tbh
There is also no substitute for surgery at times. Losing weight to gain health is not the way. Gain health first to get fit and you will lose the weight
The facet joints cause a problem because the disc parallel to it is worm and does not have the gap required for a healthy spine
Great breakdown on the subject. But why does this doctor seem so uncomfortable doing this? My guess is that he's explained all of this too many times. Maybe that's why he did the video. He could then simply refer his patients to the video and save his energy for doing the actual procedures.
I'm 8 stone 5ft 5 and was 5ft 7inces I'm waiting on 9th op on spine. But I'm never out of pain I crunch when bending walking getting up wat it is doing
I have disc degeneration deasise since 23 I live in constant pain with is bad.i took overdose couple times as I can't take no more
Y do my back crack when bending or standing up please
I've had back and neck fusion 😢 nobody talks about that for some reason 🙉🥶🥳
Very well done and clear describing the facet joint causes and treatment options. Thank you!
After getting relief for a few hours after MBB, why did i not get any relief from the ablation??
My facet joint degeneration has led me to view a number of multimedia YouTube presentations on the subject, and I did not respond well to the deluge of photos and animations, often feeling more overwhelmed than enlightened. As a technical writer (now retired), I was delighted to come across your dissertation that used not a single image, yet through the transformational power of words — in the form of a meticulously constructed succession of simple ideas, each building on the last — I was at last able to grasp the big picture I had been seeking with increasing desperation.
I learned how these little connectors, if not provided lots of tender loving care as we age, can become the source of ceaseless torment. I read between the lines your message of hope: Even in late life (I'm 73), provided I acknowlege the reality of my situation and take responsibility for improving it, there is a good chance that once again the little pleasures of daily living could be within my reach.
Already I suspect the price I will have to pay — a daily, focused exercise routine; eating healthier and getting down to goal weight; accepting my doctor's perspective and following his treatments — will in and of themselves vastly improve my state of mind. Ultimately, it all comes down to taking responsinility for my health, rather than offload the relief I crave to the mythical panaceas of modern medicine, where there is a magic pill for everything. As you suggest just beneath the surface of your narration, reducing my spine's pain to a manageable level is, with professional guidance, within my grasp. But it will require a fight only I can win. To which I respond: Bring it on!
I just saw an orthopedic doctor and they did X-rays and he said from looking at the X-rays he thinks I have congenital spinal stenosis and and overgrowth on the facet joint. I am going for an mri soon but I don’t get pain in my legs only my lower back
Excellent, in-depth explanation. I have lumbar facet arthritis and the referred pain to my butt/thighs was making it difficult to walk or do anything at all, and was starting to wake me up often throughout the night. I was a candidate for radiofrequency denervation/ablation and it has made a big difference for me. I wish I'd done it sooner. You don't get 100% relief–I still have some pain (in my butt/thigh) every day but a few simple exercises that I do in bed at night and before I get up in the morning help a lot. There's still stiffness but, for example, when I get up from a chair or couch, I can keep moving without hesitation. For me, that's a huge improvement.The procedure itself was very painful, but the pain from each cannula/needle insertion lasts just a couple of seconds. It's well worth it to me, even though I will likely have to repeat the procedure at least once a year.
Can u be my doctor pls?
I’m 31 and I’ve been battling these issues for the past 10 years since I joined the military. This is now the route they plan on taking since nothing else seems to work and I’m avoiding any surgery at all cost. This all sounds exactly like what I’m experiencing in the neck and lower back
Helpful explanation, but would have been greatly improved with visual illustrations. Thank you!
I have had all 3 procedures along with Si joint fusion…Being a Diabetic cannot have steroid injections. I was diagnosed with Mineral and bone disorder in April of 2023. Currently in PT for 10wks but have struggled with weight loss and need hernia repair surgery. My pain in my neck and lower back has been a constant problem since age 18yrs after a car accident.
Thanks for this clear, informative video!
I was recently diagnosed with facet syndrome, I have been seeing a chiropractor but that treatment didn't help me, I have an upcoming appointment with pain management. Thank for sharing this very informative video, I really appreciate it and I shared it with family and friends.
I have had facet pain for over half my life and I am around 60. Non-coplaner facet joints was the diagnosis. Going to get my first shot next week. Chronic and debilitating at this point.
Dr Chu, thank you for this. After I had a 'radio frequency facet joint denervation' procedure on my spine nearly five weeks ago the 'sciatica' type pain has become much worse so I'm unable to do anything remotely strenuous, including my beloved tennis. Like you I was hoping that RFA would solve my problems, however this 'non invasive' intervention seems to have widely different results on different individuals and I for one, regret having proceeded with it. Here in the UK, a glowing 85% success rate is quoted for RFA but down side of this procedure is not ever mentioned.
Absolutely great information and excellent explanation of the Facet joint..Thank You