Facet Fusion | Surgery Center of Winter Park Procedures
At Surgery Center of Winter Park, our world-renowned physicians, research, and technology allow us to offer advanced ambulatory outpatient procedures to those in need of specialized care. One of the various procedures we offer at SCWP is facet fusion. A facet fusion surgery involves repairing worn or damaged discs in the lower back.
Do you know what facet joints are? They are two joints that form the spinal column between each of the 24 non-fused vertebrae. The facets of the joint are separated by a disc and are surrounded by ligaments.
The joints contain synovial fluid that provides lubrication during joint movement.
This type of procedure may be recommended if a patient is experiencing chronic facet joint pain due to damage caused by:
age
disease
injury,
even increased pressure over time.
If you are a candidate that has tried many conservative approaches such as pain-relieving medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, or muscle relaxants then this may be the right procedure for you.
A facet fusion is typically performed on the disc located between the first sacral vertebrae and the last lumbar vertebrae. In order to access the facet joints, a small incision is made near the tailbone. Once the disc has been removed from the patient, the bone graft material is used to replace the damaged portions. Lastly, the surgeon will then fuse the discs to stabilize that area of the spine. This minimally invasive procedure only takes about 45 minutes to an hour to perform.
Researchers at inspiredspine.com, determined that the 2-year success rate for facet fusion procedures was 96%, and 99% for one-level fusion procedures. Compared to other options, this surgery has a lot less risk than the traditional open spinal procedure. If undergoing this procedure, you will experience less muscle and tissue damage, less pain, less stress on the immune system, and a faster recovery due to the small incision. As with any procedure, there are risks and complications associated with undergoing a facet fusion:
Infection
An excessive amount of bleeding
Lack of a solid bone fusion
Nerve damage
Blood clots
Post-operative pain
Are you or a loved one experiencing chronic pain? At Surgery Center of Winter Park, we are committed to providing you with excellent healthcare through procedures and pain management solutions using the most advanced technology. We understand how stressful hospital procedures can be. That is why SCWP strives to give you access to affordable and convenient healthcare through our outpatient facility.
Still, have questions and are not sure where to begin? You can start by contacting our center via phone at 321-282-0561 or email info@surgeryctr.com. Our physicians will be able to recommend a procedure best suited for your needs.
