Facet Fusion | Mountain Surgery Center Procedures
Are you or a loved one experiencing chronic back pain due to facet joint syndrome or spinal arthritis? If so, you may be a candidate for a facet fusion. At Mountain Surgery Center in New Jersey, facet fusions are one of the various procedures our world-renowned physicians specialize in. In this blog, you will learn more about what a facet fusion is, the benefits, when you may need one, and the recovery period.
What is A Facet Fusion?
Your facet joints are known as the connection between the vertebrae and the spine. They are surrounded by ligaments and have a disc between them. Facet joints provide fluid that lubricates joint movement. Facet joints can become damaged over time and cause extreme pain due to:
Aging
A traumatic injury such as falling, heavy lifting, or car accidents
Excessive pressure on these joints
Conservative methods to treat a facet fusion can include pain relievers or receiving corticosteroid injections. A facet fusion is considered a treatment option for chronic back pain when the conservative methods are not a viable solution. During this minimally invasive procedure, the vertebrae in the affected area will be fused together to restrict all movement in the joints. This fusion will eliminate the movement of the facet joints, therefore eliminating the pain a person may be experiencing. Depending on the severity of your case, one or more facet joints may be fused to further ease painful or dysfunctional conditions.
What Are The Benefits of A Facet Fusion?
There are many benefits to this minimally invasive procedure in comparison to the traditional invasive facet fusion. Some of these benefits include:
Experiencing a lower risk of complications
Lower risk of tissue and enduring prolonged damage to your muscles
Less painful than the traditional procedure
A shorter recovery time due to the small incision
Requires less anesthesia
Better cosmetic result due to less scarring
Mountain Surgery Center allows one to undergo a procedure and be released from our outpatient center on the very same day. This type of procedure’s recovery is only a few months whereas a traditional facet fusion procedure can take up to a year to fully recover. It is important to understand that the recovery period can vary depending on the individual's age and/or severity of the case. We can guarantee to provide the utmost care and frequently check up on our patients.
At MSC, we have many doctors who specialize and perform facet fusions. One of our reputable physicians, Dr. Steven Schiebert, who is a part of NJ Spine and Orthopedic and a member of the American Osteopathic Association, North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, New York State Osteopathic Medicine Society, and the American College of Physicians.
You can learn more about the procedure to see if it is right for you or the person you know enduring this chronic back pain by calling MSC at 973-736-3390. Minimally invasive spine surgery, otherwise known as MISS, can help relieve pain and achieve desired outcomes by using the latest technology. At MSC, our highly-skilled and trained physicians are ready to serve you.
