Arthritis, specifically in the lower back, typically originates within the spine. A lot of patients suffer from this chronic pain in the Venice, Florida area.
Most patients describe it as a deep, gnawing pain that never goes away. It may even create stabbing pains throughout the day. It is usually worse in the morning before there is a chance to move around and loosen up the joints, but it is a pain that is always there.
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- Exercise and movement
- Heating pad applied to the painful area
- Alternating hot and cold compresses
- A heating patch that stays on the skin all day
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If the pain does not subside with these treatments, or if you have had the pain for a long time, there are some treatments we can do in the Family Spine Care office.
Facet Joints are what connect the spinal vertebrate together. They prevent the vertebrate from rubbing together. When the Facet Joints wear away, then there is a bone-on-bone rubbing action — That creates the pain.
The Lumbar Facet Injection is injecting a numbing medication (such as lidocaine) into these facet joints. Cortisone, an anti-inflammatory, may be used as well.
The relief lasts anywhere from a week to a year.
If the relief lasts very little time, then you may consider another treatment.
A medial branch nerve wraps through the spinal column and facet joints. Under X-ray, Dr. Omar Henriquez uses a special needle with a heated tip to deaden this nerve which was causing pain.
Pain relief from a Radiofrequency Ablation typically lasts six months to two years. Then the nerve “wakes back up”, at which time we can do the same treatment again. The treatment only takes about 20 minutes, and it’s done completely in our Family Spine Care office, just like all of our other treatments.
