FACET JOINT ARTHRITIS

[Sukie01]

Hi my name is Fran and have just found out in the last 6 months that I have arthritis on my facet joints L4/L5 S1 docs lower back. Need advice on the drug Tramadol and Naproen already on them 6months and going to Pain Management clinic on Wednesday for my first accuputure treatment. Has anyone any information for me on the Pain Management Clinic and treatments I have been told to think about Facet Joint Lesioning treatment in case my accuputure does not work. Has anyone ever had Facet Joint Lesioning done? Thank you in advance for any updates

[Cbauer]

I had this done about 4 years ago. It really helped me. It is not a permanent cure. Can last for a few months or a few years. I cannot have surgery, but I think this worked just as well and maybe better.

[Sukie01 in reply to Cbauer]

Hi, Thank you for your feed back on my arthritis on L4/L5 S 1. Just wondering did you find the facet joint Lesioning better treatment or the accuputure ? Sorry for asking did the Pain go away completely or do you still take pain killer?

[Cbauer in reply to Cbauer]

The facet joint lesioning definitely gave me more pain relief. I did not take pain meds for a couple years. I do need to have it done again, but have some other health issues to take care of firrst. I do not like to recommend any particular treatment, because of the different results for individuals, but this was definitely worth doing. I would recommend that you try it since it is safer than a lot of treatments.

[Sukie01 in reply to Cbauer]

Many thanks for your feed back, at last I am starting to feel positive !

[Alberta69 in reply to Cbauer]

Hi.

I'm new to this forum and have looking for advice on facet joint treatment. I have damage to 4 facet joints on my lower lumbet spine (long term RA) and after waiting for nearly a year for the NHS have arranged to have spinal injections done privately next week.

Is that the same treatment that you had?

Despite intensive physio and hydrotherapy I'm still in severe pain and rely on crutches. The consultant has said he was quite confident it would help but if it didn't he would investigate further. I'm not sure if that is reassuring or not!

[Roccadave]

Hi I was diagnosed nosed-with facet joint problems 3 years ago I have physio monthly cannot take naproxen because of liver problems

1 Month ago I fitted mindinsoles to my shoes look them up expensive but they have really helped me back playing golf once you get unsecured to them they are ok

[Sukie01 in reply to Roccadave]

Hi, Thank you for your feed back, wondering what kind of exercise you can do with arthritis in your facet joints as my pain is very bad at this time, and I find I can only do a little at a time because I am always tired!

[Hidden in reply to Sukie01]

Hi Fran,

Gentle and slow exercise is better than none at all I find. Stretching cat yoga pose is great when done properly, especially on bad days. Ask about a Back School with your local physiotherapy department, that's where I got lots of tips and exercises to do. I have a dog (Jack Russell) and manage to stroll with her for 20-30 minutes each day (in all, not all at once), even though by the time I get home again I'm in agony, weigh bearing exercise helps to keep the supporting muscles strong and keeps the bones healthy apparently!

But don't do anything without asking your GP or physio about it first!

[Urania]

Hi Sukie, I am 81 years old and have had arthritis in my spine for over 40 years and been on painkillers all that time, the last 20 on Tramadol. 3 years ago I had a hip replacement and all the vertebrae in my lower spine are now affected. The last year I have been getting desperate with the pain, then I found CBD Hemp Oil on the internet and decided to try it. I have only been on it a week but the difference is remarkable and I am feeling so much better. Have a read about it on the Internet. It's really good and easy to take with 2-3 drops under the tongue 2-3 times a day. Good luck. Helen Few.

[Hidden]

Hi Fran,

First of all, I hope you have Lansoprozole to work with the Naproxen, if not ask for some 30 mg from your GP, NSAIDs have a severe effect on your gut if you don't, I have problems now thanks to years of not having the Lansoprozole.

Have you had an MRI to confirm your diagnosis? If not how was it diagnosed? I have had spinal problems from the age of 21 (I'm now 59) and had to have surgery at L5/S1 in 1996 to relieve the pressure of a disc pressing on nerves, causing numbness all below the waist. I now have osteoarthritis/spondylitis all the way up my spine, that's fun I can tell you LOL

I was referred to a Pain Management Clinic and had one of the worst experiences of my life with that woman, she more or less told me that I was fit to work, (her actual words were "Many people in the NHS have a bad back and manage to work") and that I should come off my then Tramadol and Co-Codamol; I have since graduated to Oxycodone and Nefopam with the occasional Naproxen if I really need to. I walked out of that room in floods of tears and never went back. My GP re-referred me to a Pain Clinic and the specialist there was wonderful, he recommended Occipital Nerve Block's for my neck/arm pain and they have given me back a huge chunk of my life. Facet joint injections didn't work for me at all, they may for you, everyone is different.