This video outlines the symptoms and treatment options for back pain caused by Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome.
#lumbarfacetjointsyndrome #spinesurgery #rhizotomy #medianbranchblock #facetjointpain #thespineguy
Dr. Brian W. Su, MD
Spine Surgeon
Co-Medical Director of Spine Surgery | Marin Health Medical Center
Director | Marin Healthcare District Board
Chairman | Marin Specialty Surgery Center
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Information obtained from this video should not be taken in lieu of your own medical provider’s advice and treatment plan. Please consult directly with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any diagnosis or treatment plan options. Content provided on this YouTube channel is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose , treat, cure or prevent disease.
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so, all this talking and still you didnt tell what the "treatment" is and only talked about "diagnosis". If there is no treatment then it would be better to say it out loud bluntly than keeping patients guessing on their own. All statements off of an orthopedic textbook. It's better off finishing my life than to deal with this pain for the rest of it. I've heard enough of "do physical therapy" b-shit.
Why did I have severe neuritis from RFA?
Very informative, the diagrams are very helpful
Excellently explained, and yes, surgery,is not the answer for this.
I had lower lumbar RFA done 8 weeks ago. Last weekend, I got into a bad position which caused a painful muscle spasm that left me bed ridden for 2 days. I went back to doctor and got a muscular steroid injection for pain. I feel a little better today but still have some residual pain and stiffness. I'm confussed how I can still have so much pain and muscle spasm after an RFA.
I had 4 Facet injections this morning. My pain is at a zero at this moment.
If every treatment is not work. Does facet joint fusion is the last? Thank you
About 15 years ago, I went in to have L5 S1 fusion back surgery. While performing the surgery the doctor actually broke off a facet joint. Up until then I had always been a very, very active individual but now I can’t walk more than a couple hundred yards without it becoming extremely painful. What treatment would you suggest if any at all ? Thank you in advance. Garry
What a good video. Thanks for explaining everything I needed to know….. I think I have this.. 😢
Thank you for the great content. I am diagnosed with facet joint syndrome triggered by a bad movement. I have had chronic pain for 1.5 Y. Doctors have brought up the idea of treating it with fusion and the internet seems to suggest that it can be treated with Fusion. Is there any corner cases in which this is true?
This is the most thorough video I have found for facet treatment. Thank you for this!
So if I understood well, there is not a permanent solution for facet joint syndrome. If the disc height is too low the facets will continue to get damage over time.
So, insurance makes sure they stall treatments as long as possible. Got it. I’m 52 and have an MRI scheduled. The thought of dealing with this pain for 2-4 more months is ridiculous. I do appreciate the great information.
I unfortunately have issues with the facet joints in my lumbar spine, 4 bulged discs, grade 2 spondylolisthesis , degenerate disc disease, and severe spinal stenosis; all in my lumbar spine. I had a DEXA scan done recently and it showed I have osteopenia. I am going to have an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine to see if similar problems exist there.
My spinal issues resulted from several origins – trauma/accidental; genetic; and age related. I have pretty bad chronic pain, neuropathy, and weakness in my legs as well as foot drop in one foot. I have been seeing a chronic pain specialist for years and unfortunately have to take medication for these multiple problems. In the last year, walking and standing have become increasingly more difficult; with awful pain associated with both. Numbness in my legs has spread recently, which is alarming to me.
I had facet joint injections the other day and it had felt like someone cracked me across my lower back with a baseball bat ever since. I was hoping the injections would lessen the pain enough so I could have physical therapy, but so far the results have been disappointing. Back surgery has been recommended but I would prefer not to do that unless I have no other options.
I'm a 65 year old female who is post-menopausal and taking HRT. I want to start lifting free weights to address the osteopenia and need to find a solution to the difficulty I have with walking and standing (like waiting in line). Does anyone reading this have similar problems with their back? If so, what did you do about it? And did it result in more or less pain post-operatively? What about disability – could you walk with less or no pain afterwards? Thanks in advance!
I am 39 years old and suffering facet joint syndrome since i was 28. Suffered a lot, and still suffering a lot because of it. Took 5 times steroid facet injections 4 years back and relieved pain for almost 3 years. Recently took 5 injections again and it did not help much.
Doc recommended to go under a little surgery which is basically a hot needle at 80/90 degree Celsius destroying the relevant tissue to reduce pain until tissues grow back, I forgot the name of it. Not sure to take it.
I really like your video and how clearly you have explained it.
If you are reading it, would you recommend to take that small surgery?
Pain 24/7 and my state insurance really does not care one bit.
I thought it was called medial branch.
Dr. Su operated on my neck to relieve pressure on my cervical nerve. I was almost paralyzed pre-operation. After 6 weeks recovery I felt zero pain and full motion of my neck. I also have severe L4-L5 pain due to Severe right neural foraminal narrowing due to encroaching facet and endplate osteophytes. I am on the waiting list for the operation to rectify this. So looking forward to this. I highly recommend Dr. Su ! Great explanations in all of his videos!
Is the pain associated with cartilage loss sensed by the medial branch nerves? If so, then wouldn't an RFA block that pain as well?
I'm scheduled for a medial branch block and possible RFA. I'm 68 yo and have facet arthritis.
I was a bit confused by what you said. Is RFA best for injuries to the joint capsule and a steroid injection best when significant arthritis is present? Is pain from arthritis sensed by the medial branch nerves? If so, then wouldn't an RFA block that pain as well? Thanks!!!
Thought fusion surgery would stop the two faces of the facet joint from rubbing against one another and generating pain.
Im facet sufferer downward dog n hold helps
MRI results what does this mean for me?
Bones: Type Il Modic signal changes at L4-5. No acute fracture or vertebral body height loss.
Alignment: Grade 1 anterolisthesis of L4 on L5 without evidence of pars interarticularis defects.
Cord: Normal cord signal, contour and level of termination.
Soft tissues: No acute findings.
Degenerative changes: Multilevel disc desiccation and height loss with broad-based posterior disc bulges.
Multilevel bilateral facet osteoarthritis.
Lower thoracic spine/upper lumbar spine: No stenosis.
L1-L2: No central stenosis. No foraminal stenosis.
L2-L3: No central stenosis. Mild right foraminal stenosis.
L3-L4: Mild central stenosis. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L4-L5: Severe central stenosis. Moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis. Narrowing of the lateral/subarticular recesses.
L5-S1: Mild central stenosis. No foraminal stenosis.
IMPRESSION:
Mutive dy signal – asia black a mar 1202e 18 ribed in the findings section of the report.
I have done 2 radio frequencies and spinal injections and still have bad pain and pain in movement
Does RF ablation work for referred pain (buttock and leg)? I don’t get much back pain but mainly referred pain.
Nutrition, more magnesium? Cartilage can be healed and repaired with proper nutrition
he is emphatic! do not get surgery! it will not work!… also,it will not show up on mri. my chiro said an mri doesn't show anything. he charged me for repeated visits and really time it what is needed. I went to costa rica for stem cells. 9,600 dollars. the stem cells ate the scar tissue and grew some cartilage. a great modality. the problem is me in that as i went back to work, carpenter, which aggravated the injury again. my mistake. i am 67, 6 foot 160 pounds. i am in pain again as i type. really,to take time off-no fly fishing,no weed eater movement(metal detecting),is difficult to know when to get back to my hobbies. I have reeducated myself but sitting is a problem…when you think you are ready for doing dishes again,moving things around,etc…..take more time! do your bridge exercises to build those massive muscles up along your spine that are as big as your forearm. drink braggs apple cider juice to reduce the deposits. hang from your hands to decompress, even crawling like a baby helps. no back bends! your back is sprained and it must be rested. time. and more time. sign up for your government programs as you are deserving of these. getting old sucks. sarcopenia sucks. epsom salt baths are great. hope this helps somebody.
Dr. Su, do think artificial facet joint replacement is a suitable alternative to fusing the facet joint? thank you
One of the best videos I’ve seen. Clear explanation and drawings as well really helped explain what a facet is.
is 30 minutes enough for a spinal consultation with a consultant? Some private drs here charge £220 for 15 mins and £250 for 30 mins
Hi could you advise whether or not to do sets of squats if you have facet joint OA at L5-S1(severe) and L4-L5 (medium)? Thanks
just great thanks