Facet injections give pain relief that has resulted from facet joint inflammation or arthritis or injury. It is not fully understood how the pain comes about in the facet joint, but it is thought to result from several causes which could be arthritis, injury, degeneration.
The injection into the facet joint only gives relief that is temporary, which could be from a day to upwards of a few months. Usually the injections are done along with PT or potentially along with Gilbert chiropractor adjustments as well.
The injection introduces a long-acting steroid, along with a numbing medicine like Lidocaine into the painful joint. This is either placed into the capsule of the joint or potentially alongside the area – the injection may also serve a diagnostic purpose along with a therapeutic purpose.
The facet block inhibits signals going to the brain by numbing the nerves in the region. If the person benefits from a facet block they also may turn into a candidate for a radio-frequency thermal, which is a procedure that kills the nerve endings in the area and provides pain relief with pain management doctors in Arizona.
Those who benefit from facet injections are people suffering from back pain, leg pain, neck pain, or arm pain. This pain is coming from inflammation and typically response to the steroids. The injections are also recommended for those who attempted treatments including Tylenol, anti-inflammatories, PT, or a back brace.
The facet blocks may be used to treat arthritis, herniated disc, sciatica, or spinal stenosis. Those who have an active infection or bleeding problems should not have facet injections. Also those with diabetes or hypertension should use caution as injections into the facets may raise blood sugar levels for a brief time or slightly raise blood pressure.
These shots are administered in an outpatient setting such as an AZ pain center by either anesthesiologists, radiologists, or Arizona pain doctors utilizing a real time x-ray machine. Typically the individuals feel a pressure sensation but not too much pain as long as the numbing medicine is placed prior to putting in the longer injection needle.
Certain patients they may need a Valium or some other medication to help for the injection. Most folks are able to walk right after the injection The person should notice pain relief within a few days after the procedure and if only minimal pain relief is achieved then additional injections may be necessary. Over 75% of individuals get excellent relief from the injection.
Patients who are on blood thinners should make sure to stop these when their AZ Pain Management physician tells them to.
Facet blocks are an great choice in pain management Phoenix to try prior to an invasive spinal surgery. They have less complications and risks than surgery.
Preferred Pain Center is a comprehensive Arizona pain center. We have chiropractors Phoenix AZ and pain doctor Arizona who can help. We have a 24 hour Guarantee and a free massage for new patients!
Call (602) 507-6550 today.