Hi Juliette, welcome.
FutureRobot offers some good insights. Here's the problem, which I was just discussing today: facet arthrosis (which includes diseases processes) is a tricky thing. Mild arthrosis seems to be OK for ADR, both here and abroad. Moderate arthrosis is a contraindication -- sometimes -- in the US. But not in Europe. They will take anyone, it seems...
Whatever the case, you need to find the pain generator. But it does not end there.
There are many, many different diagnostic techniques that can numb the affected pain area to TRY to triangulate on the diseased tissue that is causing your pain. In general, RF ablation, cold laser ablation and steroid injections (
medial branch block) are mainly performed. But even among these, there are many variances in the technology, technique and observed effect. So be mindful of these and ask many questions.
There's much more to this, but I am pooped. Want to watch the weird news and go to bed. Ga night.
