ADR as a treatment for facet joint syndrome

[Kokanee]

I'm about to have a facet joint nerve block in May to confirm a diagnoses of facet joint syndrome (FJS). The FJS is apparently due to decreased disc height from two herniated discs (C4-5,C5-6) in my cervical spine.

Unfortunately I'm getting quite a few different stories; we are behind the curve quite a bit up here north of the Maple Curtain. My GP (who fobbed me off recently on another doc who I start seeing Monday) has told me there is "no surgical treatment" for FJS, while I've been able to find the surgical procedure where the nerves leading to the joint are severed, providing belief.

Not trying to put the cart before the horse, I am still waiting for a 100% diagnoses. But it strikes me as odd that I have not been able to find any information about ADR's as a surgical treatment for FJS. My thinking is that if my reduced disc height is causing my facet joint problems, wouldn't replacing the herniated discs and restoring proper disc height potentially solve my problems instead of permanently damaging my nervous system? I'd rather have a treatment that fixes the problem rather then just get rid of the pain. That's like having a broken leg, and the surgeon severing the nerves to the leg so it doesn't hurt instead of setting the bone etc...

If anyone has information on ADR's as a treatment for FJS I would be very much appreciative.

[WPKat]

I'm about to have a facet joint nerve block in May to confirm a diagnoses of facet joint syndrome (FJS). The FJS is apparently due to decreased disc height from two herniated discs (C4-5,C5-6) in my cervical spine.

Unfortunately I'm getting quite a few different stories; we are behind the curve quite a bit up here north of the Maple Curtain. My GP (who fobbed me off recently on another doc who I start seeing Monday) has told me there is "no surgical treatment" for FJS, while I've been able to find the surgical procedure where the nerves leading to the joint are severed, providing belief.

Not trying to put the cart before the horse, I am still waiting for a 100% diagnoses. But it strikes me as odd that I have not been able to find any information about ADR's as a surgical treatment for FJS. My thinking is that if my reduced disc height is causing my facet joint problems, wouldn't replacing the herniated discs and restoring proper disc height potentially solve my problems instead of permanently damaging my nervous system? I'd rather have a treatment that fixes the problem rather then just get rid of the pain. That's like having a broken leg, and the surgeon severing the nerves to the leg so it doesn't hurt instead of setting the bone etc...

If anyone has information on ADR's as a treatment for FJS I would be very much appreciative.

Kokanee,

I started a Thread on this very subject, entitled "Facet Joint Degeneration and ADR." You will find some interesting information there.

In the U.S. (I am not sure about Canada), facet joint degeneration (FJD) is contraindicated for ADR. However, there is some debate as to how much FJD is acceptable for ADR. If your facet degeneration is severe, however, you will unlikely find a surgeon willing to provide ADR as a solution. You will have more luck in Germany, where I was approved for a double ADR at Stenum Spine in Bremen, Germany. They explained the same rationale to me as you described above regarding FJD. I have already had treatment for FJD, which was ineffective, but did rule out that FJD is the main pain generator in my case.



Kathleen