Facet Joint Disease Surgery
Surgery may be used to treat facet disease when conservative, non-invasive treatments don’t give patients the pain relief they had hoped for. Since facet joint disease surgery is highly invasive and presents a number of risks, most doctors recommend this form of treatment only as a last resort. Laser Spine Institute has developed safe and effective outpatient treatments for facet joint disease, which provides patients seeking relief with an attractive, lower-risk alternative.
What is Facet Disease?
Facet disease, also known as spinal osteoarthritis, involves the degeneration of the facet joints, which are joints located on the top and bottom of individual vertebrae. When working properly, facet joints provide smooth surfaces for the stacked vertebrae to move in unison, in various directions. Facet disease results in the deterioration of the protective layer of cartilage on facet joints, which can cause patients to experience a number of debilitating symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Numbness
- The formation of bone spurs
- And others
How is Facet Disease Treated?
Facet disease treatment typically begins with conservative techniques, including the use of pain medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid spine injections, and/or hot or cold compresses. If patients find little to no relief after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, facet joint disease surgery may be recommended. Before committing to a highly invasive operation, patients should consider all of their options. The laser-assisted procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute have helped tens of thousands of patients find relief from neck and back pain. Our procedures utilize state-of-the-art, laser-assisted technology, are performed on an outpatient basis, and require no lengthy recovery. Residents and visitors of Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and the surrounding areas should contact Laser Spine Institute Scottsdale – or any of our other locations nationwide – for more information.
