Facet Arthropathy Treated by Top Pain Doctors at Mercy

The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy - Baltimore, MD

Doctors at The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, work with individual patients and collaborate with other Centers at Mercy to diagnose and treat chronic back pain, also known as facet arthropathy.

About the Condition

Facet arthropathy is the pain and discomfort associated with the spine's facet joints. This pain can be the result of trauma or arthritis caused by simple wear and tear over time. The end result for many patients is chronic back pain.

NEXT: Symptoms & Diagnostic Process ›

Symptoms & Diagnostic Process

Pain is the main symptom of facet arthropathy. Patients with facet arthropathy may have lower back pain, which typically does not go to the buttocks or legs, but is worse with twisting or bending backwards. Often the pain is more noticeable after sleeping. This pain may be accompanied by stiffness and limitations in range of motion.

Pain management specialists may diagnose facet arthropathy with X-rays, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or physical exam.

NEXT: Treatment Options ›

Treatment Options

Treatment options for treating facet arthropathy may include:

Facet injections to reduce the inflammation
Radiofrequency ablation/neurolysis to permanently destroy nerves that feel the arthritis pain

The doctors at The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy may collaborate with other Centers of Mercy, including The Spine Center of Maryland, to develop treatment plans for patients with chronic back pain.

345 St. Paul Place
Baltimore MD 21202

The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, provides leading edge interventional pain treatment for conditions including spinal stenosis, herniated disk, facet arthropathy, osteoarthritis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, post-herpetic neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy and cancer pain. Our doctors specialize in treatments such as injections, decompressions and therapies to reduce and alleviate pain.