The spinal bones are connected to each other with semi-movable joints that we call facet joints. Posture disorders, intense work, constant heavy lifting, osteoporosis, some rheumatic diseases, calcium and vitamin D disorders cause calcification in these joints and cause pain. Pain in the facet joints is often confused with herniated disc pain. In some patients, both facet pain and hernia pain may occur simultaneously. If waist movements are painful, if there is pain when turning from one side to the other in bed, if you wake up with unbearable back pain, you should be examined by a neurosurgeon.
A neurosurgeon; In addition to treatments such as lumbar disc surgery, cervical disc herniation surgery, Alzheimer's treatment, brain surgery, brain tumor surgery, it also treats low back pain. First of all, your complaints should be listened to and a detailed physical examination should be performed. Changes in the character of the pain when patients squat, stand, walk, and bend over are very important. Your doctor will also characterize the pain with some maneuvers. Among the tests that may be requested, imaging tests such as spine radiographs, dynamic radiographs, computed tomography, and MRI may be requested, as well as blood tests such as blood rheumatism factors, calcium, vitamin D levels, and blood count.
If, as a result of these examinations, it is determined that there is pain due to arthritis in the facet joints in your spine, physical rehabilitation should first be carried out for the joints. Although most patients benefit from this procedure, some patients do not benefit from physical rehabilitation. Facet joint blockade can be applied to these patients. Facet joint blockade is performed by a neurosurgeon under operating room conditions, accompanied by a scope (X-ray device that allows taking radiographs on the operating table), by entering these joints and injecting some pain relievers. During this procedure, the patient is awake.
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