What Is a Facet Fusion?
The goal of a facet fusion procedure is to permanently fuse facet joints in order to prevent movement and grinding. Over time, these joints that connect vertebrae in the spine are worn down by a number of factors including age, injury, disease, and loss of synovial fluid, which is the body’s natural lubricant to reduce friction between joints.
What Does a Facet Fusion Treat?
A facet fusion procedure helps alleviate pain caused by facet joint syndrome and spinal arthritis which happens when cartilage breaks down and joints become inflamed.
How Does the Procedure Work?
During the minimally-invasive facet fusion procedure, the patient will be asked to lay on their stomach. Local or general anesthesia is applied to the affected area, preventing the patient from feeling any pain or discomfort. The surgeon will be responsible for making a small incision, which is where the guide pin will be inserted over the facet joint. With the use of dilation tubes, the opening is carefully expanded, creating an open space over the facet joint causing pain for the surgeon to operate. Using the guidance of fluoroscopy, the physician will guide a facet locator, which is a small flat device to align inside the facet joint.
A drill guide is inserted around the facet locator device, and the drill guide is inserted into place using a surgical hammer. The facet locator is removed and a drill is placed into the drill guide, creating a small “cavity” or space in the facet joint. A small device is inserted into the opening created, keeping the joint in place.
The surgeon will remove the drill guide and dilation tube. The surgeon will close the incision, and the procedure is finished. The patient is observed in a recovery room before being released. The patient will need to acquire a ride home following the procedure. Patients may experience initial discomfort following the procedure, and most patients report being able to return to their normal routine within 7 days; however, any activity that can cause strain on the spine, such as lifting heavy objects, should be avoided for up to 6 weeks, to ensure a smooth recovery.
What Are the Risks?
Complications of facet fusion are typically lower risk since it’s a minimally-invasive procedure; however, all surgeries have a risk for infection, blood loss, and injury to nerves and blood vessels around the spine.
Benefits of Facet Fusions
This procedure provides quick-acting pain relief. Most patients feel they’re able to be active again and need little to no rehabilitation afterwards.