Facet Joint Arthritis
 

Greetings! Over the years, my husband has had a full lumbar fusion but still has extreme low back pain. After yet another round of X-rays, MRI, mylogram and bone scan, the Dr. tells him that all is good and solid with the fusions. His next idea is to have my hubby take on a round of Facet Joint injections come December. So, here's my question, is it conceivable that after a total lumbar fusion my hubby can still have enough movement in his spine that facet joint arthritis is an issue? And, if so, could he have a facet joint replacement done after a full lumbar fusion? Any help, tips search hints, greatly appreciated.

I would love to see some replies to this question! Anyone have some input?

Could your hubby have adjacent levels that are bad. I would assume the doctor ruled that out as well. I really don't know the answer to your question. I only know from my experience my neck is fused from C4-C7 and does give me trouble and my spine surgeon told me i can have injections any time i want. Actually my spine is fused from C4 thru L4. With the lumbar actually failing in fusing so i do get epidurals there. why if he is in so much pain does he have to wait until December is my question. That seems like a long time in the future when you are living with back pain every day
judy

Kinjano... I hope you don't mind, but I moved this thread to the main forum where it will get more traffic.

How did they decide which levels to fuse? Did they have a 'smoking gun' diagnosis, or did they simply operate on the levels that looked the worst.

It is possible that the pain generator is not from the areas targeted with the surgery. I believe the premise of the question is good... if it's fused and immobile, why would there be pain coming from the immobile facets.

What type of fusion did they do? If they only went anterior and left the posterior elements alone, I suppose that there could still be some instability or fracture that is not entirely immobilized???

Mark