When someone is suffering from back pain, their doctor will commonly try to treat this pain with conservative methods like pain medication, physical therapy, or steroid injections to treat inflammation in the area. However, these approaches are not always effective and may not provide lasting relief. At this point, surgery may be the next step.
Back surgery techniques have advanced rapidly in recent years, and several techniques are minimally invasive and boast high rates of success. Unlike traditional surgeries requiring large incisions through the back or neck, arthroscopic techniques now allow surgeons to make a single, small incision that can accommodate a small tube that houses both a camera and tools. There are other minimally invasive procedures, as well, that do not require surgery at all. One type of minimally invasive technique that can provide relief for some kinds of back pain is facet joint ablation.
What Is Facet Joint Ablation?
The facet joints cover the vertebrae in our spine and provide a range of motion for twisting and bending in the spine. When the spine is functioning properly, these joints are unnoticeable, but when the facet joints do not align properly, they can send continuous pain signals to the brain from the small nerve endings in each joint.
Facet joint ablation treats pain by burning the affected nerve endings with electricity, effectively severing the pain signal between the joint and the brain. This is performed with a small needle, meaning that there are no incisions at all. The surgeon performing the technique uses x-ray imaging to guide them, and a bandage is placed over the incision once the needle is removed. Beyond that, there is little more to the procedure.
Benefits of Facet Joint Ablation
If you suffer from back pain and are looking for minimally invasive treatment, facet joint ablation may be worth discussing with your doctor.
This procedure is quick, typically lasting an hour or two. Most patients are able to return home on the same day, but some may need to stay overnight so their recovery can be monitored. Since there are no incisions and the procedure is performed with a single needle, there is much less pain and damage to muscles or soft tissues. Patients are typically sedated instead of anesthetized, which reduces a host of additional risks associated with anesthesia.
In addition to speed and minimal invasiveness, this procedure can produce long-term results that can help patients get back to a life with less pain and a greater range of motion. You can find a specialist in your area who can perform this procedure by calling 1-800-injured. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.