Is Facet Joint Syndrome Causing Your Back Pain? EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- Dr. Chu explains everything you should know about low back and neck pain coming from the facet joints. We cover every aspect of the condition, including anatomy, causes, interventional treatments, lifestyle, and exercise. If you have facet joint pain, this is the complete guide you need.
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Please Note: This is NOT medical advice. This is for informational purposes only.
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Please make sure to consult your personal physician regarding your specific medical issues. Also, immediately call 911 if you think you may be having a medical emergency.
I have had a lumber facet ablation 3 years in a row. Each time I get one, it lasts longer. After watching your video, I think the reason why is because I also continue to do core body exercises along with a water aerobics class 3 days a wk. First one lasted 8 months, 2nd one 10 months and third one a year. I am not overweight, a 75 year old female, and because of this procedure I can continue to play pickle ball and golf. Thank you Dr Chu for posting this informative video.
Do you have a suspect disc parallel to the facet joint problem.
This will never cure it. It just prolongs the agony.
If it works for you why don’t you just cut them with dvr procedure?
Does ablation last you for an entire year?
Thank you for being so clear and putting it in terms I could understand. This was my favorite explanation out of dozens I have seen
This is the most comprehensive explanatory video I have seen on this subject. Thank you.
Thank you for spending your time doing what you love to do. Helping People. I definitely learned a lot about my facet joint pain. Thank You
thank you for being clear, very useful
Thank you for doing this video. I understand better now. I really had to work to keep up with you because you talk so fast. Well, you have a lot to cover in a short period of time. Again, thank you.
Absolutely great information and excellent explanation of the Facet joint..Thank You
Thanks for this clear, informative video!
Very well done informative video. Thank you
The doc seems very knowledgeable.
Great video with the important stuff
Very impressive! He proved that he is the best because he has teachable knowledge, not many doctors can have.
Amazing!
Thank you
Very well done and clear describing the facet joint causes and treatment options. Thank you!
Thanks so much, glad you liked the video!
It would be great to have a clear explanation on physical management, the goal in physical management etc.,
Nice info.
Dr Chu, thank you for this. After I had a 'radio frequency facet joint denervation' procedure on my spine nearly five weeks ago the 'sciatica' type pain has become much worse so I'm unable to do anything remotely strenuous, including my beloved tennis. Like you I was hoping that RFA would solve my problems, however this 'non invasive' intervention seems to have widely different results on different individuals and I for one, regret having proceeded with it. Here in the UK, a glowing 85% success rate is quoted for RFA but down side of this procedure is not ever mentioned.
I’m 31 and I’ve been battling these issues for the past 10 years since I joined the military. This is now the route they plan on taking since nothing else seems to work and I’m avoiding any surgery at all cost. This all sounds exactly like what I’m experiencing in the neck and lower back
Avoid surgery at all costs
Thank you!
Excellent, in-depth explanation. I have lumbar facet arthritis and the referred pain to my butt/thighs was making it difficult to walk or do anything at all, and was starting to wake me up often throughout the night. I was a candidate for radiofrequency denervation/ablation and it has made a big difference for me. I wish I'd done it sooner. You don't get 100% relief--I still have some pain (in my butt/thigh) every day but a few simple exercises that I do in bed at night and before I get up in the morning help a lot. There's still stiffness but, for example, when I get up from a chair or couch, I can keep moving without hesitation. For me, that's a huge improvement.The procedure itself was very painful, but the pain from each cannula/needle insertion lasts just a couple of seconds. It's well worth it to me, even though I will likely have to repeat the procedure at least once a year.
Thank you so much for the kind comment! I'm really glad that you got good relief from the radiofrequency ablation; it is actually my favorite interventional pain procedure to perform because it yields such excellent results, often up to 1.5-2 years!
Very useful video thank you for sharing your knowledge on facet joints I an waiting to have branch block treatment.
I'm getting ready to have that. How are you doing now?
@Relative Insanity My appointment is on 17th February so I will let you know ok.
wow I've looked at quite a few videos and none described my issue quite like yours. Thank you so much. I wonder if mine is also exacerbated by my lordosis.
I was recently diagnosed with facet syndrome, I have been seeing a chiropractor but that treatment didn't help me, I have an upcoming appointment with pain management. Thank for sharing this very informative video, I really appreciate it and I shared it with family and friends.
Thank you so much, glad you found the video helpful
Theoretical question: assuming a person’s facet joint paint is caused by the disc at that level developing a fissure (and loses height and stability), and there was a procedure that could repair the disc and restore it to the proper height, how much would that reduce the mechanical stress and pain on the joints at that level?
I have a fissure at L5 but the Dr does not beleive that is the pain source itself. So she wants to do the Facets on 3 levels to see if that helps the pain since they show fluid and inflammation on all levels. I just hope they get it right. Id be really upset going thru all that to get zero benefit
i had 2 facet injections great relief pain management told me have have lot arthritis inflammation didnt last long ,i have L4 L5 S1 herniation bulge disc trying avoid surgery ,i was told i cant do both exercise one for the facet,and the other herniation can you help me out ,i like ur videovery much you think my exercise i can beat this,,im from nyc
So what exercises do I🤔🤔 need to do
How does it go if you have osteoporosis? C6-7: Near-complete loss of disc height. Deep disc osteophyte. Large uncovertebral osteophyte, more
pronounced on the right. Minor facet joint arthropathy. Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing Multilevel degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine.
Moderate-severe left foraminal narrowing C2-3. C3-4, C5-6.
Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing C6-7.
yes and I wanted to go on medical leave from substitute teaching until my ablation procedure but my doctor wrote too vague oaf a note and refused to say I'm unable to work. I'm in so much more pain at work because I'm on my feet a lot. So all I can do is work a couple days a week and give students less support with their work. can you explain why a doctor would refuse to provide note that would approve one take a temporary leave from work?
So happy that you took the time to actually describe some of the pain in the lower lumber (low back) associated with Facet Joint Pain. Far too often doctors don’t give any examples of the types of pain their patients experience. I’ve been dealing with lower back pain for a little more than a year. I’ve been through physical therapy, needle injections, and know a recommendation for a procedure to inject into the facet joints in specific areas. Up til now the former worked a bit to ease the pain, but it’s ever present. Some examples of my pain are spasms, tight musles, heaviness, etc, all of which seem to move around. I’ve always indicate the epicenter is the lower right side of my lower back. But it can move to the left, middle, and around the waist line. Thank you for providing this detail as I continue to work with my pain specialist to properly identify if this is in fact facet joint syndrome. The recommended procedure he indicates should narrow down were the pain is coming from.
Hello Chase007. Were you able to get a diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms? My symptoms are quite similar to yours. I have seen several specialists with no resolutions. Quite frustrating. Thanks
@@lolam1298 Hi Lola M, Unfortunately, I’m still dealing with the issues even after seeing a pain specialist, going through physical therapy, a chiropractor, burning of nerves in L4 & L5 region of the spine. According to the pain specialist the diagnosis is a form of arthritis. It’s been a 2 1/2 year journey. However, I’ve recently seen a chiropractor that employs a different method… almost like a deep body message to target tension in the muscles. It’s helped tremendously. I have more consistent days of relief more than I’ve had over the course of the past 2 years+. I still periods of inflammation that comes and goes, but this has helped. I think over a longer period of time this process could have more long terms results. Of course, I still take the meds recommended by the pain specialist, but I don’t want to take them long-term. Hope this helps.
@@chase0073 oh bummer! Thank you so much for responding. I had hoped your response would be different. I have tried a steroid shot to the R hip because one orthopedic specialist thought I had FAI (femoral acetabular impingement), when that didn’t work, he said he couldn’t help me so I saw a pain management specialist who said Facet syndrome. We tried a Facet steroid shot which didn’t work so now I am getting worked up for a RFA ( Radiofrequency Ablation).
I am praying that works 😢. Will update you if it does but might be a few weeks/ months due to scheduling constraints. Good luck to you and I will appreciate an update if you find something that works finally.
@@lolam1298 I'm getting ready to have one too and I'm seriously nervous about it. Good luck to you!
@@cyndieK1
fingers crossed for you that the RFA works. Please update how it went. I am still weeks maybe months away from getting mine scheduled since I have to 1st schedule the medial block injections to confirm an RFA would help.
I have had several sessions of neurotomy guided injections into the fact joints (Bilateral L4/5, S1 facet RF) and these have given modest reduction of pain. The biggest disappointment factors are that I have never been able to get greater flexibility in the lower back. Is there a higher level of eradicating pain and being able to have greater flexibility? I have been diagnosed as having arthritic conditions in fingers neck and lower back. Fingers are not that bad but the problem increases as the years go by so as I approach my 87th birthday I am conscious of maintaining fitness so I can enjoy the things I like doing. Is my back pain specialist treating the pain rather than the condition? To emphasise my focus on keeping my body as fit as possible I attend COTA classes (for the over 55s) three times a week. I have a good BMI and no debilitating conditions such as diabetes or heart problems so all the above is what I need to focus on to continue living past 90. A good objective you guys?
@B. L. I will copy this and send it to my back pain specialist Dr John Salmon. He seems 'full bottle' on the problem but I am now trying the three exercises given to me by the physio. He is familiar with Pilates and although not the recommended physio that Dr Salmon requested I see (I have been to them pre COVID times) my local physio who fully understands my problem and I believe can do equally well but much, much closer to home.
I just saw an orthopedic doctor and they did X-rays and he said from looking at the X-rays he thinks I have congenital spinal stenosis and and overgrowth on the facet joint. I am going for an mri soon but I don’t get pain in my legs only my lower back
Can a massage therapist help me with my facet joint pain in the L4 L5 area. Thank you
I've had back and neck fusion 😢 nobody talks about that for some reason 🙉🥶🥳
Hi just I saw the interesting video
Can you recommend me an specialist in Montreal, if you lo know? Thank you very much
I am having chronic pain in my neck and clicking and grinding what can I do please
When my Chiro pronounced facet like this, I wondered....googled "facet" ( maybe I was ignorant) couldn't find this pronunciation... oh well, he's not the only one. 🙂
I have had all 3 procedures along with Si joint fusion...Being a Diabetic cannot have steroid injections. I was diagnosed with Mineral and bone disorder in April of 2023. Currently in PT for 10wks but have struggled with weight loss and need hernia repair surgery. My pain in my neck and lower back has been a constant problem since age 18yrs after a car accident.
It might help if you gave your present age🤪
My facet joints flare horribly.
Middle back at times goes in the ribs.
Prolotherapy and PRP have helped but not long term. I’m thinking of getting ablation. My facet pain can be from the neck all the down to the end of my back. I’m thankful for good days.
Mine too in my ribs
I have had facet pain for over half my life and I am around 60. Non-coplaner facet joints was the diagnosis. Going to get my first shot next week. Chronic and debilitating at this point.
did it help?
Nope@@el-hp1lj
Very well done, except you didn't use a single graphic. I'd recommend GRAPHICS
I will like to know the cause of swelling to the lower spine
Ablation sounds good only issue I have is no pain leaning back? All leaning forward? Would this help for a non-union fusion or would I be better off getting an epidural steroid?
Where are u located? I would like to come see you..Ive had this facet issue for the last 20 years & its really gettin worse..Hopefully u can help me..Thank you..
Thanks for explaining this doc.I have been diagnosed with facet joint arthritis, lately I am getting paineither side of the spine could this be what's causing my pain,the pain goes into the buttocks and hips.I cannot lie down long to sleep as the pressure makes the pain even worse,what could you do?Please help me.
same here im sleeping on my couch now and finally getting better sleep the back of the couch helps support my spine better and i have to sleep on my back
I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease osteo arthritis bulging disk with an anuel tear and a sanovial cyst between l4 and l5 .Does this indicate facet problems or disk ? I have to be vary careful on how I move because one wrong move and I go in to muscle spasms which can make it hard to walk with out severe pain .I have pain in lower back and hip continuously . Bending and sitting is the worst My back went in to spasm at thanksgiving dinner at a relatives house .I sit reclined with legs towards my chest set apart most of the day . But I do walk for 30 min a day because doctor recommended it and still have lower back pain but not as bad as the bedding and sitting . Although I cant stand washing dishes more than 10 min with out sever pain .By the time I get back from my walk I need to get back in recliner because the pain is pretty bad .
If bending forward causes the most pain, it sounds more like some kind of stability problem. The cysts typically are asymptomatic. Like when throwing my back, I can’t make certain moves without pain because I’m guessing the stretched longitudinal ligaments are screaming don’t.
Y do my back crack when bending or standing up please
But what to do after years of daily pt, 3 sets of RFA treatments (no longer help) and weight loss to optimal weight and maintenance?
well i guess you will be sitting next to me in the nobody can help you boat🤣
I have this in my thoracic spine very very serious pain that I have had for a long time. I find it very frustrating when Medical professionals do not include the thoracic area in their Diagnostic procedures, treatment or discussion.
Couldn't agree more. I started having severe pain and muscle spasms in my middle back about a year ago. Was just diagnosed with facet arthritis in the thoracic spine. Been trying to find information on it but it seems everyone focuses on the cervical or lumbar area of the back.
@@SemperFiBiologist I found some stuff just by googling thoracic facette joint syndrome. I found one and then kept doing it and then a few more came up
How can i get better its been going on for 3 weeks
After getting relief for a few hours after MBB, why did i not get any relief from the ablation??
Has anyone tried joint tea or pure trim spray???
Hi Dr, good advice and reinforces other vids about facet joint syndrome. I have it and also in the lumbar and cervical spine. Also have disc herniations at various levels with sacroiliitis. I experience saddle anesthesia and piriformis burning when sitti g too long. I've had facet i jections which offered relief for about 2 weeks. That was 2 years ago. I have been to 6 spinal and neurosurgeons all of whom have said No Surgery. 1 reknowned Neuro surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian said "I would have to rebuild your lumbar spine..... No one would touch that". In other words, there is a very low rate of success fir surgery. Surgeons of a good caliber wont do surgery unless there is a very good success rate expectation. It reflects on them and the hospital . I try stretches, i take numerous supplements including Boswellia, proelytic e zymes, ginger, cinnamon, feverfew, joint compounds which contain chondroitine and glucosamine, msn, etc. Oh and flaxseed and fish oil for tge omega 3s . Trying CBD oil, but the jury is still out on that for me. The chronic pain and squeezing on the spinal nerves from this condition and stenosis, wreaks havoc with the nervous system. The chronic pain and stiffness for many years has caused chronic anxiety. Bottom line ....It is Horrific.
Hey Aldo,
I feel you brother. I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and faucet joint degenaration. Pretty much did everything that medicine had to offer, but no surgery . As you said no one wants to touch it. Unfortunately the only thing that really works is narcotic pain killers. I do not take them cause I am affraid of the aftermath. Only thing that helps me is maintaining body weight, sftreching and exercising, focus on your core, stay away from acidic food cause they cause inflammation. I still get flareups once or twice a year but they only last for few days. Good luck!
@@kriss.8596 , I have recently been turned on to Moringa. It actually is derived from the the Moringa tree leaves. If you Google it, you will find that it offers many benefits. I just started to take it daily. I try everything that I can from my own research that I'm willing to try to help with the pain and stiffness,naturally. Never took any opiods. Occasional NSAIDS , Advil, Alleve, and Tylenol Arthritis. Only med currently taking is Gabapentin and now weening off Prozac which helped with the very anxiety and anxiety attacks. Supplements include, Boswellia, Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, proetlytic enzymes, occasional White Willow bark, Feverfew, and Skullcap. Vitamin D3, Vit E, C B12. The worst part of this is the terrible stifness. Personally, I hit 7s on the pain scale, with a constant of 4-5 everyday. Good Luck to you too.
I think I have all you’re talking about but have an MRI today 😭😭😭my Piriformis muscle hurt I get nerve pain and also got a problem in my cervical spine too it literally feels like I’ve already got my diagnosis but a lot of back problems over lap so let’s just see but I am at least 70% sure this is what they are
@B. L. Im really sorry to hear about your situation. I wish you found relief or find it. No one deserve to live like that. If I may ask, do you think it's better to avoid nerve ablation? My doc suggested doing it to relief the pain..
@@Chiroman527 hows the moringa going now?
When an MRI shows "Minor" Facet arthrosis, do you usually ignore that as its "minor" or could it still be a source of pain?
pain is pain. To you minor might be severe.
I’m a 22 year old dancer who has just been diagnosed with facet hypertrophy of the L4/L4 L4/L5 and L5/S1. I’m in so much chronic pain that started 6 months ago. I’ve tried physio, chiro, PT, acupuncture, hold and cold therapy and even just trying to continue and I just can’t do it. Extension is the worst but also have a lot of pain during flexion. Feel like my short lived life is over and I don’t know what to do, I’ve become so depressed and gone from being the most active person to none of this. Always been a healthy athletic weight, I just don’t understand. Please help me😭😭
Got DDD and facet disease, and mild grade 1 on T8T9. Strong 2 years ago,and had a injury at work. Now, barely can walk. What would be the best treatment?
If you find out let me know. I'm the same
I'm 8 stone 5ft 5 and was 5ft 7inces I'm waiting on 9th op on spine. But I'm never out of pain I crunch when bending walking getting up wat it is doing
The problem if you cut the facet nerve is that it regenerates itself again, but in a place that you would be not able to find again.
can we have you guys number for facet joints and disc check up
I have a lower back pain when standing up from a sitting position. It usually takes a minute or two to walk it out. Does this look like a facet joint problem or it's something else ?
Is it worse when getting up in the morning? Or standing from sitting on the toilet? If so, it could very well be... that's what my symptoms are and I have facet joint pain
I have all those issues and my Dr beleives its the facets as the mri shows fluid and inflammation. no disc bulges
Helpful explanation, but would have been greatly improved with visual illustrations. Thank you!
Thank you - I haven't gotten a chance to publish in a while, but will be making some more vids soon, will make sure to add in more diagrams and such in the next vid to help illustrate the concepts!
Thank you so much for responding. That sounds great! @@360PainAcademy
Thanks. You are Americas heroes. Not some guy bouncing a basketball.
What about someone throwing a football? Catching a baseball? Or saving the game winning goal?
I have disc degeneration deasise since 23 I live in constant pain with is bad.i took overdose couple times as I can't take no more
So if most of pain is not caused by the degeneration then what is causing the nerve and back pain?
Thanks dr Chu!
Im having a facet joint injection in a week, im 38... my pain is blockeable with an ibuprofen... will the injection be effective? How much time to wait until physical therapy after the procedure?
Hi, how did your injection go? I had one last year and it gave me 100% relief for 4 months but I've returned to normal levels of pain now thinking of getting another one soon but I don't want to be totally reliant on injections for the rest of my life
@@simoncullen9520 mine went great, i revised my working habits, increases sport abd im an ew man
How are you feeling now? Still with pain?
My pain is not blockable with Ibuprofen
I think i got mine from sitting too long during the pandemic.
Same
How old are you two?
Been diagnosed with mild bilateral facet arthropathy was injured in a hit and run accident two years ago still suffering from Chronic pain in lower back need a solution
I have the same thing 2 of them and doesn't feel mild hurts alot let me know if you find a solution to your chronic pain
How are you now
How are you now please tell
The medial branch block paralyzed my whole right side for 30 minutes. The doctor had to hold my body on the table due to loss of muscle control. I also was given oxygen as I couldn't breathe.
what happened after 30 minutes?
You need visuals. It just doesn't work as an explanation without some sort of visual to explain what you're saying.
Bad or severe osteoarthritis in hips and bad faucet joint pain is a recipe for weight gain disaster. RFA's are a Blessing, but must be done with very experienced anesthesiologist, preferably.
My ortho told me that my back will hurt until my arthritic joints are no longer moveable.
🥶🥶
Can u be my doctor pls?
Great breakdown on the subject. But why does this doctor seem so uncomfortable doing this? My guess is that he's explained all of this too many times. Maybe that's why he did the video. He could then simply refer his patients to the video and save his energy for doing the actual procedures.
You kina look like that Asian actor who plays in Donnie Yen movies.
The facet joints cause a problem because the disc parallel to it is worm and does not have the gap required for a healthy spine
The injections do lower the disc height ...RFI. is very riscy business
Facet joint pain can cause the worst burning pain from your waist down your legs. It feels as if your legs are on fire. If it made me feel better, I'd rather have my legs amputated tbh
There is also no substitute for surgery at times. Losing weight to gain health is not the way. Gain health first to get fit and you will lose the weight
I GOT LEFT DEAD FOOT FOLLOWING A FACET JOINT INJECTION
What happened?
None of these are treatment of the root cause. It is just pain management.
For anyone that wants to actually get rid of their back pain and not just cover it up… visit an OSTEOPATH.
They actually identify the problem in your back and usually fix it in just one session.
Most other kinds of treatment try to make you sign up for loads of sessions that never help.
You’re in LALA land son….
To much talking
yes but you need to be healthy to loose weight haha and if your back hurts kind of hard