Facet Joint Injections are a minimally invasive technique that can alleviate chronic neck pain or back discomfort caused by damaged joint faces. These joints between the vertebrae provide stability and help with spinal movement. It can be very uncomfortable when they become inflamed and degenerate because of arthritis. Here, knowing the procedure may help allay worries and establish realistic expectations.
Comprehending Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections have both diagnostic and treatment purposes. It involves injecting a combination of a local steroid and anesthetic directly into the facet joints. The anesthetic reduces pain immediately by numbing a particular area. On the other hand, the steroid aids in long-term comfort and inflammation reduction. This technique can be applied in the cervical (neck), middle-back, or lower-back regions, depending upon the location of the pain.
The Procedure: Preparation
Before receiving a joint injection in the facet, a pain management expert must conduct a thorough examination. This assessment involves a review of medical history, a physical evaluation, and imaging studies like X-rays and MRI scans. You should inform your doctor if you are on blood thinners or other medications. You may be required to change the dosage of these drugs before the procedure. You should also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any anesthetics or steroid medications to avoid unwanted reactions.
The Procedure In Step By Step
- The Positioning and Preparation: You must lie flat on a table. Depending upon the injection site, this can be on your stomach or your side. The area’s skin to be treated will then be cleansed using an antiseptic.
- Anesthesia: A local numbing agent is administered at the injection location to numb the skin and tissues under the surface. This may result in a temporary stinging.
- Needle insertion: Using fluoroscopy (a real-time type of X-ray) as guidance, the physician inserts an ultra-thin needle into a facet joint. Imaging enhances safety and effectiveness by ensuring precise needle positioning.
- Injection of Contrast Dye: A small amount is injected with contrast dye to ensure accurate needle placement within the joint. This helps visualize the space between the joints and ensures medication will be delivered at the correct location.
- Medication injection: After the physician has determined the right placement, he will inject a mixture consisting of anesthetics with steroid medications into the facet. The anesthetic offers immediate pain relief. Meanwhile, the steroid is working to reduce swelling over time.
- Completion: The injection site is covered with a small bandage. The procedure can last between 10 and thirty minutes, depending on how many joints you treat.
Expectations For Post-Procedure
After the injection, your condition will be closely monitored to ensure no adverse reactions occur immediately. A local anesthetic may cause temporary numbness or a feeling of weakness. Some patients will experience immediate pain relief. Others may see improvement over the next few days as the steroid takes effect.
You may return to your regular activities the following day, although it’s advised that you refrain from doing any physically demanding activities for at least 24 hours after the treatment. Your doctor may recommend keeping a daily pain diary to track your symptoms. This will also help assess how effective the injection was.
Effectiveness And Follow-Up
Individuals differ in the duration of relief they experience from facet joint injections. Some people experience relief lasting from several weeks to many months. Other individuals may have shorter and longer periods. Your physician may recommend additional injections if your first injection is successful. In general, however, it’s advised to limit steroid infusions to prevent potential side effects.
Other options may be necessary when facet-joint injections fail to provide adequate or lasting relief. These can include physical treatment, radiofrequency ablations (which use heat to disrupt nerve signals), or surgical intervention in more severe situations.
Conclusion
Facet Joint Injections are a viable treatment option for neck or lower back pain that is caused by dysfunctional facet joints. This procedure delivers medication to the affected joint, significantly reducing pain and improving quality of life. Understanding the process, from pre-injection preparation to post-injection care, can reduce anxiety. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner to determine if facet-joint injections would suit your condition and address any concerns you may have.
