Facet Joint Injections
Back or neck pain may be caused by a problem in the facet joints. If so, a Facet Joint Injection may help. With this treatment, medication is injected into the facet joints and around their nerves to relieve pain and help your doctor find a problem joint.
The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has flat surfaces, referred to as facets, that touch where the vertebrae fit together. These form a structure called the facet joint on each side of the vertebrae.
The facet joints are similar to other joints in your body like your knee or shoulder. These joints contain cartilage, a synovial membrane with synovial fluid, a capsule to hold the fluid in the joint, and finally a blood supply and nerve supply.
The function of the facet joint is to protect the discs in your neck or back from excessive rotation and bending stresses. However, these joints are not meant to support very much of your body weight. When your muscles get weak and no longer give support to the facet joints, facet joints can be damaged. Also, injuries such as lifting, bending, and automobile accidents can injure these joints.
About the Facet Joint Injections
This procedure can be performed safely in Dr. Bender’s office. You will be asked to fill out a consent form. The risks and complications from this type of procedure are rare but treatable. These risks include infection, bleeding, or nerve damage. You should feel free to ask your doctor how often this has occurred in their practice.
Facet joint injections are relatively pain-free when performed with a fluoroscopy machine (x-ray imagery). This type of x-ray image allows your doctor to see exactly where the injection needs to go.
Therapeutic Facet Joint Injections are best used in combination with a well-designed spinal rehabilitation program. Dr. Bender will discuss this with you during the follow-up visit.
What to Expect During a Facet Joint Injection Procedure:
- You will be asked to come to the fluoroscopy room.
- You will lie down on your tummy on the fluoroscopy table.
- The area to be injected will be viewed with the fluoroscopy unit.
- Your skin will then be cleaned with an anti-septic solution.
- The doctor will inject a local anesthetic (pain medication) into the skin, muscles, and ligaments.
- This sensation is a very brief, mild sting to the skin and a slight pressure sensation in the muscle.
- The Facet Joint Injection will be performed causing a slight pushing or pressure sensation.
- You will be able to leave the office shortly after the procedure and resume normal activity.
- You may experience a little muscle soreness the next day.
- Call the doctor for any reason you feel is necessary after the procedure.
