Facet joints are very important elements of the spine. They are also extremely vulnerable to injury or trauma, such as from a Bucks County car accident. Facet joints, like other joints in the body, are lined with articular cartilage and coated with a lining of fluid. Bucks County personal injury lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr. sees first hand, with the many clients he represents, that car accidents commonly cause the cartilage to become damaged; when the cartilage does not heal well, the result is often back pain and/or neck pain. Diagnosis of facet joint disorders usually includes a procedure called a facet block, which is a highly conclusive way to diagnose a damaged facet joint.
There are several symptoms associated with facet joint damage which should prompt you to see your doctor to find out if a facet block is necessary. These symptoms include:
• moments of acute, unpredictable back pain
• persisting tenderness or soreness in the area of the back injury
• discomfort with spinal movement
• pain in the back of the legs, shoulders, or upper back
Are you dealing with any of these symptoms following a recent Bucks County accident? If so, it is wise to schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out whether a facet block is necessary to diagnose and treat your car accident injury.
Facet joints are small joints between adjacent vertebrae which stabilize the spine and prevent excessive motion, which could lead to spinal cord damage. When a facet block is performed, a certified physician uses a small needle to inject an anesthetic and steroid into the area of the affected facet joint. A facet block should result in relief of discomfort caused by facet joint damage as well as confirmation of a facet joint disorder, often caused by car accidents in the Philadelphia area.
Common facet joint injury treatments include proper exercise, heat or cold therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or even facet rhizotomy, which destroys some of the tiny nerve endings near the affected facet joint to relieve pain. Your doctor will recommend the treatment that is right for you.
If you have been injured in a Philadelphia accident and are suffering from pain, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC. Conveniently located in Bucks County, PA, our legal team will speak to you about your accident injuries and how to pursue a personal injury claim. Download a FREE copy of our PA Car Accident Book for more helpful information.
