Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 19, 2018
  • Author: Gerard A Malanga, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is lumbosacral facet syndrome?

How was lumbosacral facet syndrome first identified?

What is the prevalence of lumbosacral facet syndrome in the US?

What is the global prevalence of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the anatomy of the spine relative to lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the anatomy of the Z-joint relevant to lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the anatomy of the mamillo-accessory ligament (MAL) relevant to lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the anatomy of Z-joints innervation relevant to lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What are the sport-specific biomechanics of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is included in the clinical history of patients with lumbosacral facet syndrome?

How is lower back pain (LBP) characterized in lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What muscle stretch reflex findings are characteristic of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Which physical findings are characteristic of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is included in in the physical exam to evaluate lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of palpation in the evaluation of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

How is range of motion assessed in lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Which flexibility findings are characteristic of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Which sensory exam findings are characteristic of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of muscle strength testing in the evaluation of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What does a positive response to a straight leg – raise test suggest in the evaluation of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of bone scanning in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of plain radiography in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of electrodiagnostic studies in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is the role of a medial branch nerve block in the workup of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Treatment

What is the role of physical therapy during the acute phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of surgery during the acute phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of spinal manipulation during the acute phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of radiofrequency ablation during the acute phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of physical therapy during the recovery phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of spinal injections during the recovery phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of physical therapy during the maintenance phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

What is the role of spinal manipulation during the maintenance phase of lumbosacral facet syndrome treatment?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressant, Selective Serotonin/norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (ssnri) are used in the treatment of Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressants are used in the treatment of Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Which medications in the drug class Opioid Analgesics are used in the treatment of Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Which medications in the drug class Muscle Relaxants are used in the treatment of Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are used in the treatment of Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome?

Follow-up

What are indications for return to play following treatment of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What are the possible complications of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

How is lumbosacral facet syndrome prevented?

What is the prognosis of lumbosacral facet syndrome?

What is included in patient education about lumbosacral facet syndrome?