title: The facet joint and its role in spine pain. Management with facet joint injections.
abstract: Mechanical derangements of the lumbar spine, causing predominantly back pain with the absence of nerve root irritation or compromise, present a difficult treatment challenge to the average physician. The author suggests that facet joint injections offer a simple, safe, and often dramatically effective means for managing these problems. The historic background and technique are described in detail. The author presents his personal experience with 99 patients receiving a total of 117 facet joint injections in this retrospective, uncontrolled review. Results were classified as excellent in 17%, good in 25%, fair in 9%, mediocre in 4%, and no change in symptoms occurred in 44%. The procedure is recommended for diagnostic and conservative therapy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008012:Lidocaine; D008775:Methylprednisolone