Thoracic facet joints are tiny joints at each section of the spine that impart stability and facilitate guide motion. The facet joints can turn out to be painful due to arthritis of the spine, a back injury or mechanical strain.
Thoracic spine injections are involved in the assessment and treatment of pain in the upper back, chest and rarely, the arm. Acute and chronic pain syndromes from the thoracic spine are much less common than with cervical and lumbar spine. This is valid both for the incidence and the intensity of the disease. Only 2% of the entire painful spinal syndromes influence the thoracic spine.
In the region of the thoracic spine, the vertebral canal is comparatively narrow and there is only a small epidural space between the spinal cord and the osseous surrounding, or the intervertebral disc. The narrowest position is located between TH4 and TH9.
Facet joint injections generally have two objectives – to assist in diagnosing the reason and site of pain and also to impart pain relief.
Congratulations to Jeffrey A. Kozak, MD who is retiring from active clinical practice on March 31, 2025 after 37 years of exemplary patient care.
**New Location NOW OPEN** Walk-ins Welcome at 7718 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521
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David R. Sollacio, MD – Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery – Coming April 1st
Wame N. Waggenspack, MD – Shoulder and Elbow Surgery – Coming May 5th
