Facet Syndrome Treatment
Dr. Tony Mork, MD located in Newport Beach, CA and Naples, FL offers endoscopic spine surgery as a facet syndrome treatment. 40% of low back pain is caused from lumbar facet syndrome but the pain can easily be managed and treated so that you can live your days pain free.
Dr. Mork published a paper in 2010 on endoscopic facet debridement with the use of a laser. With a minimum 3 year follow up in the study, 77% of the patients experienced AT LEAST a 50% reduction in their pain. This is a huge improvement when compared to conventional treatments.
Read the paper HERE.
Facet Syndrome Diagnostic Procedures
Lumbar Facet Syndrome
Note: All diagnostic procedures are performed by Dr Mork
Dorsal primary nerve root blocks with fluroscopic X-rays are performed to evaluate low back pain suspected to originate from Lumbar 4-5 and Lumbar 5-Sacral 1. This is effective because the nerve supply to the lower facets (L4-5 and L5-S1) follow a very consistent pathway to inject. The percentage of relief will help determine and predict how effective the surgery will be.
Intra-articular Facet joint blocks with fluroscopic X-rays - These are best utilized to evaluate the facets above the L4-5 level. This would include all the facets from L3-4 and above. The reason for this is that the location of sensory nerves to the joint are not consistent, therefore the joint itself must be injected.
Cervical Facet Syndrome
Since the pain comes from the facet joints, I use Intra-articular Facet joint blocks with fluroscopic X-rays. These are best utilized to evaluate the facets joints from C2-3 to C7-T1. The reason for this is that the location of sensory nerves to the joint are not consistent, therefore the joint itself must be injected.
Treatment Options for Facet Syndrome
Lumbar Facet Syndrome
All treatment procedures are performed by Dr. Mork
Treatment of Lumbar 4-5 and lumbar 5-Sacral 1 facets:
Endoscopic division (not ablation) of medial nerve branches, the intermediate and possibly lateral branches can also be divided if there is significant muscle spasm. Division of nerves instead of ablation can make this treatment permanent.
Treatment of Lumbar 3-4 facets and above:
Endoscopic removal of a portion of the facet joint capsule where the sensory nerves are entering the joint. Spurs and osteophytes can also be removed with this technique. Division of nerves instead of ablation can make this treatment permanent.
Cervical Facet Syndrome
Treatment of Cervical 2-3 to cervical 7- thoracic 1 facets:
Endoscopic removal of a portion of the facet joint capsule is performed with the holmium laser. The capsule is where the sensory nerves enter the joint. Spurs and osteophytes can also be removed with this technique.
Endoscopic division (not ablation) of medial nerve branches can also be divided before they enter the capsule. Division of nerves instead of ablation can make this treatment permanent.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Minimal incision size
Minimal pain
Minimal anesthesia
Minimal recovery time
Minimal risk of infection
Minimal soft tissue damage
Minimal time at a facility (typically an outpatient procedure)
NO FUSION
Meet Dr. Tony Mork, MD
Relieving your back pain and giving you your life back is our goal at Dr. Tony Mork’s practices in Newport Beach, CA and Naples, FL. Not only has Dr. Mork successfully performed over 8,000 endoscopic procedures, he also teaches and has produced his own training courses for doctors to become certified in endoscopic surgical procedures. When it comes to minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Mork is as professional and as experienced as it gets.
Conditions Treated by Dr. Tony Mork
Bulging Discs
Herniated Discs
Facet Syndrome
Annular Tears
Foraminal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis
Protrusions
Failed Back Surgeries
Locations in Newport Beach, CA and Naples, FL
Dr. Tony Mork Newport Beach, CA
(949) 430-6658
1300 Bristol St N #124
Newport Beach, CA 92660
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Dr. Tony Mork Naples, FL
(239) 420-7447
4851 Tamiami Trail N STE 200
Naples, FL 34103
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