Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose of Procedure
Risks and Contraindications
Before the Procedure
During the Procedure
After the Procedure
A Word From Verywell
Jan-Otto / E+ / Getty Images
While not everyone with these conditions is a candidate for a facetectomy, the procedure may be considered if symptoms have not responded to conservative treatment, like physical therapy, or if walking or standing becomes difficult.
A facetectomy is not a procedure to relieve pain related to uncomplicated arthritis or for people who do not have spinal nerve issues. This surgery may be considered if there are neurologic changes in one or both arms or legs.
A facetectomy is not to be confused with aspinal fusion, a surgery in which two or more spinal vertebrae are fused together. Spinal fusion is performed to stabilize an unstable spinal segment.
As with most surgeries, fasciotomy has a risk for infection or bleeding. A facetectomy also places you at risk for new or worsened spinal nerve damage. Despite these risks, a facetectomy is a relatively common procedure and such complications are rare.
Long-term complications include spinal instability, changes in sensation, and other symptoms which may impact function.
Contraindications
A facetectomy is contraindicated for those who have an unstable spinal column or spinal deformities that would complicate surgery.
If you have a tissue or skin infection where the surgery would take place, your surgery may be postponed until the infection resolves.
This surgery can be too high of a risk for individuals who have complex underlying medical issues.
Your healthcare provider will completelaboratory tests,conduct a thorough medical history, review your medications with you, and complete strength and nerve function tests before determining if you are a candidate for a facetectomy.
Before your surgery, your healthcare provider will advise you to stop taking certain medications, namelyblood-thinning medicationsand supplements, just before the surgery. These medications may increase your risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
If you are an active smoker, your healthcare provider will also ask you to stop smoking. This is because smoking significantly slows the healing process and increases your risk of experiencing continued pain after the surgery.
Timing
Depending on the type of facetectomy—total facetectomy, medial facetectomy, or partial facetectomy—the surgery will vary in length. It typically takes one to two hours.
Location
A facetectomy typically takes place in a hospital or outpatient surgical center. Once the surgery is complete, you will be taken to a separate recovery to have your vital signs monitored for several hours.
What to Wear
There are no restrictions regarding clothing, as you will fully undress and wear a hospital gown for the surgery. Bring comfortable clothes that are easy to put on after the surgery.
Food and Drink
Fasting for around 12 hours before the surgery is usually expected, but this number will vary depending on your condition and healthcare provider’s orders.
In the recovery room of your facility, you will have the chance to eat and drink. Your healthcare provider will inform you when to resume certain medications after the surgery.
According to your tolerance and preference, you will able to resume a normal diet once the surgery is over. Some people experience nausea or digestive discomfort due to the anesthesia. Your nurses will monitor your recovery and guide your food and fluid intake safely.
Cost and Health Insurance
The cost of a facetectomy ranges from $8,000 to $12,000. Costs are lower for individuals who have the procedure done in an outpatient surgical facility and return home shortly after. Those individuals who need to stay inpatient (overnight) in a hospital may have higher medical bills.
Insurance coverage will vary depending on your plan. This procedure, like most surgeries, requires pre-approval from health insurance plans. You might have to pay a copay portion for your procedure. It’s best to check In advance so you will be prepared.
What to Bring
Bring your insurance card, identification, and paperwork with you to the procedure. Check about specific restrictions on electronic devices in the pre-surgery or recovery areas. If you are staying overnight, you can bring comfortable nightclothes and slippers if you wish to wear your own.
You will be instructed to arrange for transportation home after your surgery, since anesthesia often temporarily impairs the ability to drive.
On the day of your surgery, you will register, and then go to a pre-operative area.
Pre-Surgery
Throughout the Procedure
Most facetectomies will usegeneral anesthesia, which means you will not be awake nor will you feel pain during this procedure.
Your surgeon will make a small skin incision, and then may need to move muscle out of the way to gain access to the damaged or narrow facets. They will remove as little bone as possible to release pressure from the nerve.
Sometimes other spinal procedures, such as stabilization of a herniated disc.
Your incision will be closed and covered with bandages.
The facetectomy surgery will take one to two hours, depending on the angle and amount of damage to the spinal vertebrae.
Post-Surgery
Nurses and medical staff will monitor you following the surgery. If you are in an outpatient facility, you will remain in the recovery room for an hour or two while nurses monitor your vitals, alertness, pain levels, and ability to pass urine.
Your healthcare providers may complete strength and basic range of motion tests to ensure the surgery was successful.
Depending on your recovery and level of function, you may spend several days in the hospital or return home after one day. You should expect to feel quite sore for several weeks after your surgery. This is normal and you should allow your body to rest and recover from the surgery.
You are expected to notify your surgeon if you experience any significant pain, bleeding, or difficulty passing urine after your surgery. You should also notify your surgeon if your incision site reopens, oozes pus, and/or has a foul odor.
If you have staples at the incision site, they are usually removed one to two weeks following your surgery during your follow-up appointment with your surgeon. Your surgeon will often wait until this appointment to clear you to drive, return to work, and resume your typical activities.
Your surgeon will also limit you to lifting less than 10 pounds for the first several weeks after your surgery. Once you attend your follow-up visit, your surgeon may increase this to 20 pounds or lift the restriction altogether, depending on how you are progressing.
Physical therapy and guided therapy will continue during and after post-surgical healing.
Any medical procedure, especially surgery, is taxing on a person’s emotional and physical health. It is important to become well-informed and educated regarding the options and treatment methods available to you. It is also important to recognize there are steps you should take to improve your own health apart from the procedure. Eating a balanced diet, exercising as you are able, losing weight if you’re overweight, and quitting smoking can help you maximize the benefits of your surgery.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Minimally invasive spine surgery.Zeng ZL, Zhu R, Wu YC, et al.Effect of graded facetectomy on lumbar biomechanics.J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:7981513. doi:10.1155/2017/7981513Argintar E, Triantafillou K, Delahay J, Wiesel B.The musculoskeletal effects of perioperative smoking.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012 Jun;20(6):359-63. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-06-359Neurosurgery One.Facetectomy spine surgery.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Minimally invasive spine surgery.Zeng ZL, Zhu R, Wu YC, et al.Effect of graded facetectomy on lumbar biomechanics.J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:7981513. doi:10.1155/2017/7981513Argintar E, Triantafillou K, Delahay J, Wiesel B.The musculoskeletal effects of perioperative smoking.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012 Jun;20(6):359-63. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-06-359Neurosurgery One.Facetectomy spine surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Minimally invasive spine surgery.Zeng ZL, Zhu R, Wu YC, et al.Effect of graded facetectomy on lumbar biomechanics.J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:7981513. doi:10.1155/2017/7981513Argintar E, Triantafillou K, Delahay J, Wiesel B.The musculoskeletal effects of perioperative smoking.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012 Jun;20(6):359-63. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-06-359Neurosurgery One.Facetectomy spine surgery.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Minimally invasive spine surgery.
Zeng ZL, Zhu R, Wu YC, et al.Effect of graded facetectomy on lumbar biomechanics.J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:7981513. doi:10.1155/2017/7981513
Argintar E, Triantafillou K, Delahay J, Wiesel B.The musculoskeletal effects of perioperative smoking.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012 Jun;20(6):359-63. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-06-359
Neurosurgery One.Facetectomy spine surgery.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
