Facet joint injections are a popular choice for those looking for a non-surgical treatment option with minimal risks. While the procedure does come with some potential risks, such as bleeding, infection, allergic reactions, or nerve damage, it is still one of the most frequently performed spinal interventions. Facet joint pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, segmental instability, trauma, pinched meniscoid, and inflammatory synovitis. Symptoms of facet joint pain may include neck pain, back pain, and pain that worsens with hyperextension, lateral flexion, and rotation.Facet joint injections are non-invasive and non-surgical procedures that are typically performed in an outpatient facility.
Patients can expect to be discharged the same day of the injection. However, it is important to have a friend or family member available to take you to and from the clinic due to the local anesthesia used during the procedure.If radiofrequency ablation of the medial branches that innervate the facet joint is desired to obtain more lasting relief, the above test blocks should be performed only with local anesthesia (0.25 to 0.5 ml of 2% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine) at the level of the medial branches. During this procedure, patients will be placed in a position that optimizes access to the desired facet joint. Facet joint injections are commonly used to diagnose facet joint pain and can provide therapeutic effects.Facet joint syndrome is one of many possible causes of back or neck pain.
Facet joint injections may be effective in relieving pain in those who suffer from pain in one or more facet joints due to injury, inflammation, or irritation of the nerves in the joint. Patients with back, leg, arm, or neck pain suspected of originating from facet joints are likely candidates for this type of injection.Facet joint block is a minimally invasive procedure in which a doctor uses fluoroscopy or a CT scan to guide an injection of medication into a facet joint to relieve pain. Initially, doctors will administer a series of physical diagnostic tests that will stress the facet joint or joints. Of all etiologies of facet joint pain, degenerative osteoarthritis is the most common cause.Minimally invasive image-guided procedures such as facet joint blockages are usually performed on an outpatient basis by an interventional radiologist.
If you experience discomfort when bending, twisting or moving your torso or head and it interrupts your quality of life, it may be time to check for problems with your facet joint.Fluoroscopy is used to guide the placement of the needle in the facet joint. A facet joint injection is done to treat neck and back pain in combination with other non-surgical treatments for the spine such as rest, medications, chiropractic manipulations and physical therapy. It should be noted that intra-articular injection of the facet joint does not serve as a diagnostic block in preparation for radiofrequency ablation.
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