Living With Facet Disease in the Lower Back
A diagnosis of facet disease in the lower back does not necessarily mean a patient is sentenced to a life of immobility and/or discomfort. In fact, most people whose vertebral joints have begun to deteriorate in the lumbar (lower back) region find that, with the proper conservative treatments and a bit of patience, they are able to maintain a quality of life not much different from before they were diagnosed.
Conservative Methods of Treating Facet Disease in the Lower Back
No two cases of facet disease (deterioration of the cartilage coating on the facet joints) are alike, which means no two patients respond in exactly the same way to the different treatments available. It may require a period of trial and error to find the right combination of the following nonsurgical treatment methods:
- Medication - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually the first line of defense in dealing with pain and other symptoms. These are available in over-the-counter form (naproxen, ibuprofen) and in stronger, prescription doses from a doctor. Narcotics such as codeine or morphine might also be prescribed, if necessary.
- Physical therapy - Under the supervision of a doctor or trained physical therapist, exercise, stretching, and strength-building workouts will help improve flexibility and overall spinal stability. A physical therapist might also help you develop behavior modification techniques in order to avoid physical activities that may exacerbate your symptoms.
- Alternative treatment methods - Although the efficacy of alternative and complementary medicine remains up for debate, millions of patients swear by techniques such as chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, massage, and more.
Is Surgery Necessary?
In 90 percent of cases, patients with facet disease in the lower back will never need to consider surgery. However, for the 10 percent who can't find relief through conservative methods, it's vital to research all available surgical techniques before making a final decision on which procedure, if any, to undergo. In the past, highly invasive spinal fusion was the only answer. Now, rather than permanently immobilizing the affected vertebral segment through fusion, spine surgeons are able to use endoscopic techniques to debride, or clean, an affected vertebral joint and deaden the joint's nerve ending using a laser inserted through a small tube.
Patients considering spine surgery should make sure they have exhausted their conservative options and talk at length with their doctor about the potential risks and side effects of any surgical procedure.
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