Lumbar Facet Arthropathy Questions & Answers

Updated: Feb 02, 2022
  • Author: Carl H Shin, MD; Chief Editor: Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is lumbar facet arthropathy?

How is lumbar facet arthropathy diagnosed?

How is lumbar facet arthropathy treated?

What is the pathophysiology of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the prevalence of lumbar facet arthropathy in the US?

What is the global prevalence of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the mortality and morbidity associated to lumbar facet arthropathy?

What are the racial predilections of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What are the sexual predilections of lumbar facet arthropathy?

How does the prevalence of lumbar facet arthropathy vary by age?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of lumbar facet arthropathy?

How is the pain of lumbar facet arthropathy clinically diagnosed?

How is the pain from lumbar facet arthropathy characterized?

What causes lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of osteoarthritis in the etiology of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What causes lower back pain (LBP) in lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of microtrauma in the etiology of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of synovial capsule distention and inflammation in the etiology of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of rheumatoid arthritis in the etiology of lumbar facet arthropathy?

DDX

What should be included in the differential diagnosis of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What are the differential diagnoses for Lumbar Facet Arthropathy?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of diagnostic blocks in the diagnosis of lumbar facet arthropathy?

Treatment

What is the role of physical therapy in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial for patients with lumbar facet arthropathy?

What are the treatment options for facet joint pain in lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of intra-articular facet joint injection in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the role of radio frequency (RF) neurotomy in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What is the efficacy of intra-articular facet joint injection and RF ablation for the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

Medications

Which drugs are used in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

Which medications in the drug class Analgesics are used in the treatment of Lumbar Facet Arthropathy?

Which medications in the drug class Cyclo-oxygenase-2 Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Lumbar Facet Arthropathy?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the treatment of Lumbar Facet Arthropathy?

Follow-up

When is inpatient care indicated in the treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy?

What should be included in patient education for lumbar facet arthropathy?