Facet Joint Injections

The joints located in the back of the spine are called the facet, or zygopophyeseal joints. When they become degenerated, inflamed, or arthritic, they are a common source of low back (lumbar) or neck (cervical) pain. In order to help find exactly where your pain is coming from, so that it can be most effectively treated, your doctor may need to anesthetize these joints. This can be done either by placing medications directly into the joint, or by placing medications on the nerves leading to these joints. These injections are called either medial branch blocks or facet injections.

These injections are done by placing a very small needle into the proper location with the assistance of a special x-ray machine called a fluoroscope. Once the needle is in the correct location, a small amount of local anesthetic and steroid medication will be injected. These medications should work almost immediately to start giving relief if indeed these joints are causing your pain.

These procedures are done at an outpatient facility designed specifically for these and other procedures - The Ashland Surgery Center. When you arrive at the center, a small IV will be started. This will allow your doctor to give you relaxing medication, if required, during the injection. You will fill out several questionnaires regarding your pain, and will be asked to rate the pain intensity that you are experiencing at the time, on a scale from 0-10, with 0 representing NO PAIN and 10 being the most excruciating pain imaginable. You will also be asked what activities or maneuvers worsen your pain.

You will be asked the same questions AFTER the injection as well. your doctor will utilize this information to make decisions regarding the likely source of your pain; accurate responses are imperative to maximize the benefits and utility of the procedure.

your doctor will anesthetize the area in which he is working with local anesthetic. In addition, you may be given some relaxing medications into the IV. The injection usually takes about 10-15 minutes to perform.

Following the injection, you will be discharged with a PAIN DIARY, which will allow you to continue to monitor your response over the next 8-12 hours. Again, your doctor will use this information to help define the source of your pain, and potential treatment options. Please be sure that you have a follow-up visit in the office scheduled within the next 1-2 weeks, and bring the PAIN DIARY with you to that appointment. Always report on the effect the injection has had on YOUR pain, not on any pain you might be experiencing related to the needle placement.

Side effects or complications from these injections are extremely rare. They would include but are not limited to: bleeding, infection or allergic reactions to the medications. Please feel free to discuss any question or concerns you might have with your doctor or his staff. We can be reached at (541) 482-1712.

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