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• Facet Thermal Ablation

Facet Thermal Ablation

Facet thermal ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure offered at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). This procedure is used to treat arthritic, injured, or degenerative facet joints. The facet joints link each vertebra together and serve as hinges to enable forward movement, backward motion, and twisting of the spine. Over time, as cartilage and connective tissues in the facet joints lose elasticity and begin to wear away, the bony parts of the joint can rub together, causing limited mobility and a number of painful symptoms. Oftentimes, in a futile attempt to repair and protect themselves, facet joints develop bony overgrowths called bone spurs which can press against spinal nerves and cause additional pain. The aim of a facet thermal ablation is deaden the affected local nerve (similar to what happens to a tooth during a root canal) and clean off the joint with a laser.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a 5 millimeter incision in the back or neck near the site of the affected facet joint, and then inserts a graduated series of tubes. The surgeon performs the procedure through the tube using a laser, an endoscope, and other micro-instruments. Since the irritated nerve is deadened during the procedure, patients often feel relief immediately following facet thermal ablation. And, thanks to the small incision and LSI’s gentle endoscopic techniques, recovery time is short – approximately two weeks. Additionally, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis so there is no general anesthesia or hospitalization required. Patients are typically free to go after 1-2 hours of monitoring, unlike open back surgery that would require several days of hospitalization and months of recuperation time.

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If you have been diagnosed with facet disease, facet joint syndrome, facet hypertrophy, or any other degenerative facet disease, it’s important to understand that there are a number of conservative therapies to effectively treat most symptoms. These therapies include bed rest, exercise, physical therapy, and over-the-counter medication. If you try several months of conservative treatment but still feel painful and debilitating symptoms, you may want to consider a facet thermal ablation from Laser Spine Institute (LSI). The surgeons at LSI have successfully performed tens of thousands of minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to help patients reclaim their lives. Contact us today and we’ll review your MRI or CT scan at no charge to you.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.