Facet Joint Injections for Pain Management

Facet joint injections, also known as facet blocks or facet injections, are minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints in the spine. Facet joints, located on the posterior aspect of the spine, can become a source of pain due to degeneration, inflammation, injury, or mechanical stress. These injections involve the precise placement of medication into the facet joint space to alleviate pain and improve function.

Key Aspects of Facet Joint Injections:

1. Diagnostic Evaluation: Facet joint injections serve a dual purpose as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic intervention. By temporarily numbing the facet joints with local anesthetic, these injections help pain specialists identify whether the facet joints are the source of a patient’s pain.

2. Targeted Pain Relief: Facet joint injections deliver medication directly into the facet joint space, providing targeted pain relief by reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and improving mobility in the affected area of the spine.

3. Procedure Technique: During a facet joint injection procedure, a needle is guided into the facet joint space under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. A combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid medication is then injected into the joint to provide immediate pain relief and long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Types of Facet Joint Injections: Depending on the location and severity of the pain, different types of facet joint injections may be performed, including:

   • Medial Branch Blocks: Targeting the small nerves that innervate the facet joints, providing diagnostic information and temporary pain relief.
   • Facet Joint Injections: Directly injecting medication into the facet joint space to alleviate pain and inflammation.
   • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to disrupt the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joints.

Why Choose Facet Joint Injections for Pain Management with Us:

1. Expertise and Precision: Our team of pain specialists and interventionalists has extensive experience and expertise in performing facet joint injections, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and precision-guided approaches to ensure accurate placement of the needle and optimal pain relief.

2. Comprehensive Evaluation: We conduct a thorough evaluation of each patient’s medical history, symptoms, diagnostic imaging, and physical examination findings to determine whether facet joint injections are appropriate and likely to provide diagnostic and therapeutic benefit.

3. Individualized Treatment Plans: We take a personalized approach to pain management, tailoring the location, technique, and medications used in facet joint injection procedures to each patient’s specific pain condition, symptoms, and treatment goals.

4. Multimodal Treatment: We believe in a multimodal approach to pain management, combining facet joint injections with other interventions such as physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychological counseling to address the multifaceted nature of pain and optimize treatment outcomes.

5. Patient-Centered Care: We prioritize patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction, ensuring thorough communication, informed consent, and personalized care throughout the facet joint injection procedure and post-procedural follow-up.