Thermal Ablation

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Facet Thermal Ablation

A facet thermal ablation can be compared to a root canal often performed by dentists. The procedure consists of the surgeon using a laser to clean debris from the facet joint and at the same time deaden the nerve causing the pain.

Endoscopic procedures such as a facet thermal ablation use the same instrument used in an arthroscopic surgery but do not enter the joint.

A facet thermal ablation can be performed to correct the following conditions:

Facet Disease
Facet Joint Syndrome
Facet Hypertrophy
Facet Arthritis
Degenerative Facet Joints

The above terms all point to the same problems - Arthritis or degeneration affecting the facet joint.

When comparing the facet joint to other joints in the body, they are much the same. They have cartilage lining the joint allowing the bones to glide without friction over each other and are encased in a capsule.

The facet joints main function is to provide the vertebrae with support, stability and mobility for the vertebrae. Each section of the vertebrae has two facet joints between it located on either side. Although facet disease can potentially develop in any level of the spine, it most often will occur in the lumbar area.
Minimally invasive surgical procedures do not require general anesthesia and may be performed in an outpatient surgical setting. A facet thermal ablation is a minimally invasive laser procedure.

Minimally invasive Facet Thermal Ablation

The patient undergoing the procedure will be administered a local anesthetic. A round Depuy tube is inserted into an incision made to the back. The diameter of the tube is 5 millimeters and termed a working tube, through which the surgeon will manipulate the laser and fiber optics for the surgery. The procedure is considered minimally invasive because of the use of the working tube. The tube will push the muscles out of the way with minimal damage instead of having to cut or tear them.

Once the working tube is in place, the surgeon will clean the debris from the joint and deaden any nerve causing pain in the facet joint. This is a pretty fast procedure only lasting about forty minutes. After a few hours of monitoring the patient (accompanied by companion) is allowed to leave the site.

After a successful facet thermal ablation, patients are encouraged to take a long walk that afternoon or evening. The next day, the patient returns for a post-operative consultation to receive clearance from their doctor to return home.

There are many advantages to undergoing minimally invasive laser surgery. A few of the advantages are:

Performed in a surgical outpatient setting with no need for extended hospitalization
Only requires a local anesthetic - no general anesthesia
Stability in the spine remains - No need for spine fusion
Minimally invasive with minimal damage done to surrounding muscles
High rate of success
Quick procedure along with fast recovery
Scar tissue formation is kept to a minimum

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