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What Should I Do If I Think I Have Facet Disease?

If you believe that you’re suffering from facet disease, or the deterioration of the cartilage in the spinal facet joints that can cause painful neural compression, visit your primary care physician. He or she will perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and inquire about your symptoms. It might be a good idea to jot down a few notes about your symptoms as the discomfort occurs so that you can describe your pain to the doctor as accurately as possible. Note the location, frequency, and severity of your symptoms. Try to remember their date of onset, and think about which daily activities, if any, are affected by your facetogenic pain.

Developing a Conservative Treatment Plan

If your physician confirms that you are suffering from facet disease, he or she will likely suggest a regimen of conservative treatment that may include the following:

• Hot and cold compresses
• Gentle, restorative yoga
• Physical therapy
• Prescription or over-the-counter pain medication
• Behavior modification
• Selective nerve block injections

Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

If weeks or months of conservative treatments prove ineffective, contact Laser Spine Institute. Our orthopedic experts are standing by to tell you more about your minimally invasive treatment options for nerve compression caused by facet disease. We offer a variety of outpatient procedures that utilize state-of-the-art endoscopic technology. Request your complimentary MRI or CT scan review today and find out if you could be a candidate.

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