When facet joints become stressed and damaged, it can lead to facet joint syndrome, which refers to the deterioration of facet joints. These joints help to stabilize the spine, and keep excessive motions limited. As the cartilage surrounding these joints begins to wear away, the joints begin to get stiff and swollen, which can cause pain in the upper cervical spine, or in the lumbar region of the spine.
Facet joint pain can be very painful, and there are a number of ways to treat it. One possible way is to get injections to help block the pain and determine exactly where it is the pain is coming from. However, before getting these injections, there are some things to be aware of.
1. It Should Not be the First Treatment You Try
While there are many things that can make a person an ideal candidate for these injections, they should not be used immediately. Instead, a person should try other treatments first, and see if any of those help. Some of these other treatments include:
• Anti-Inflammatory medications
• Working with a chiropractor
• And physical therapy
If they do not, then it is acceptable to talk to your doctor about receiving injections, as they may be what you need to find relief. Many specialist doctors can perform a facet injection in Jacksonville for you.
2. There Will Be some Pain Involved
Face Joint Injections can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and use a combination of local anesthetic and the steroid medication used for the pain. However, this may not eliminate the pain of the procedure entirely, as the injection needle will be going deep in order to get to the affected area. For those who want more than just a numbing agent applied to the skin, they can opt for an intravenous sedation, which calls for injecting the affected area with the anesthetic.
Doctors, such as those in Riverside Pain Physicians, can explain these anesthetic options for facet injection Jacksonville in more detail with you, at a pre-procedure appointment.
3. How Quickly Will You Feel the Difference, and How Long it will Last?
While the anesthetic will provide more immediate relief, these effects will wear off after a few hours. The actual steroid medication, however, will not really start working until a few days later, when it has had time to work its way into your system. The length of time these injections are effective vary person-to-person and can last anywhere from a few days to several months
It is important to remember, that while these injections are used to help with pain, they are also used to help better pinpoint the source of pain. Depending on how long the injections help with your pain, you may have the option of repeating the procedure. Others may be moved on to more specialized treatments, such as facet rhizotomy.
These are only three things to be aware of when considering facet injection Jacksonville. Talk to your pain specialist for more information about these injections, and how beneficial it may be for your situation.
