Chronic neck or back pain can affect your daily life and reduce your quality of existence. Facet-joint dysfunction is a common source of back pain. Facets, which are found between each vertebra, allow for flexibility and movement. Inflammation or damage to these joints can lead to significant stiffness and pain. Facet joint shots can help many people manage their discomfort. We’ll explain what facet injections are, who can get them, and how you can expect to feel after the procedure. ASAP Pain Docs is a pain management organization that offers a comprehensive solution for people who are interested in this treatment.

What Are Facet Injections For Joints?

Facet joint shots are minimally invasive procedures that involve injecting an anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic directly into affected facet joints. This combination reduces inflammation and numbs the area to provide both immediate pain relief and long-lasting relief. These injections can either be used for therapeutic treatment or diagnostic purposes.

• Diagnostic: An injection is useful if your healthcare provider suspects the pain stems from facet joints. If temporary relief is obtained from the injection, the facet joints are most likely the cause of the pain.
• Facet Joint Injections: These injections help to relieve pain by reducing swelling and inflammation.

Facet Joint Injections Are Beneficial To Whom?

Facet injections are commonly recommended to those with chronic neck or spine pain that does not respond to other conservative treatment options like physical therapy and over-the-counter medication. Facet injections are beneficial for conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage at the facet joints may cause pain, inflammation, and restriction in movement.
• Facet Joint Syndrome: The condition is caused by the wearing down of facet joints. This leads to stiffness and pain.
• Injury or trauma: Traumas to the spine and back, like a car crash or sports injury, may damage the facet joint, resulting in chronic pain.
• Spondylitis: Age-related degenerative changes of the spine can lead to pain in the facet joint.

If you are not sure whether you qualify for facet-joint injections, an evaluation by a pain specialist like those at ASAP Pain Docs can be helpful in determining the best treatment.

Facet Joint Injection

Facet Joint Injections are generally performed as outpatient procedures, meaning that you can go back home the very same day. The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

1. Preparation: You will lay on your stomach or on your back, depending on the site of the injection. The healthcare professional will clean and numb that area to minimize discomfort.
2. Guided injection: The provider will use fluoroscopy to guide the needle. This imaging allows for precise needle placement.
3. Injection: Once the needle is in position, a combination of anesthetic/steroid medication is injected directly into the facet joints. The anesthetic is used to relieve pain, and the steroid helps reduce inflammation for a few days.
4. Post-Procedure: Your condition may be closely monitored to check for any adverse reactions. Most patients can resume normal activities in a day or so, though strenuous activity should be avoided during the first few days.

Results Of Pain Treatment

The individual can experience varying levels of relief with facet injections. Anesthetics can provide immediate pain relief for some people, and steroids may reduce inflammation over time. It may take several days for some people to notice the full benefits of the injection. The duration of relief is also variable. Some patients feel relief for just a few months, while others may be able to enjoy reduced pain even after several weeks. If the pain comes back, you can administer additional injections, but they are generally only administered a couple of times a year. This is to avoid any side effects that could be caused by steroid use. Facilities like ASAP Pain Docs provide ongoing evaluations of patients with chronic pain and offer custom treatment plans that ensure your pain is effectively managed.

Conclusion

Facet injections can be a highly effective and minimally invasive solution to chronic back or neck problems due to facet dysfunction. These injections are effective for both diagnosis and treatment. They can also improve mobility. If you suffer from chronic back pain and want to find relief, you should discuss this option with professionals in pain management, like ASAP Pain Docs. These experts are dedicated to providing innovative and personalized solutions that help people live pain-free.