Facet Arthropathy Treated by Top Pain Doctors at Mercy

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.

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About Facet Arthropathy

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.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

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.

Treatment Options for Facet Arthropathy

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.

The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy provides leading edge interventional pain treatment options to reduce the need for pain medications and alleviate chronic pain.