Facet Joint Injection: A Targeted Approach to Back and Neck Pain Relief
When you suffer from chronic neck or back pain, it can greatly impact your life; simple activities, such as driving, sleeping, or even standing, can become unbearable. If you have already tried physiotherapy, medication, or other conservative treatments with little success, a facet joint injection might just be what you need to find relief.
This minimally invasive treatment addresses the small joints along the spine known as facet joints — which can be a major source of pain resulting from arthritis, injury or degeneration. Here, we’ll take a look at what facet joint injections are, how the procedure is carried out, who may benefit, what recovery involves, and the risks and benefits. If you are in the UK and looking for what you options are if you have back type pain – this blog gives an informative and concise look into what the treatment options are.
What is a Facet Joint Injection?
Facet joint injections are a procedure used to diagnose and treat pain in the facet joints of the spine — the small joints located between and behind the vertebrae, which give the back its flexibility and enable you to bend and twist. These join are meant to cushion movement and movement, but they can become painful due to overuse (osteoarthritis), inflammation or injury.
The process entails an injection of local anaesthetic, and sometimes also a steroid, into the affected joint or its surrounding area. The anaesthetic works for immediate pain relief as it mainly numbs the nerves in the joint, but the steroid can help reduce the inflammation as well and this can extend the period of time you will get significant pain relief up to several months.
This therapy is often used for neck or lower-back pain, and occasionally for radiating pain that goes down the shoulders, buttocks or legs — typically due to spinal conditions such as facet joint syndrome or spondylosis.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Facet joint injections are usually done on an outpatient basis, and the procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will lie on an X-ray table and the skin over the area to be treated will be cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic.
The clinician will then use fluoroscopy, or real-time X-rays, to direct a thin needle to the precise spot of the facet joint. Then the anaesthetic combined with steroid is injected through the needle.
In other instances, the injection serves as an invaluable diagnostic tool, helping doctors determine whether the facet joint is indeed the cause of the pain. If there is substantial relief from the pain after the injection, the diagnosis is confirmed. In some cases, the aim is therapeutic — to alleviate pain and inflammation for an extended period.
Patients are typically monitored briefly after the procedure and frequently can be discharged home the same day. Driving after treatment that day is discouraged so prepare ahead for transportation.
Who Can Benefit from a Facet Joint Injection?
Side joint injections may be suggested for people who:
- Chronic back or neck pain that hasn’t eased with painkillers or physio.
- Suffer pain caused by certain movements – for example twisting or bending back.
- Have radiographic (such as MRI or CT) confirmation of spinal degeneration or arthritis.
- Require diagnostic clarification before proceeding with invasive interventions, e.g. surgery.
This therapy can be especially beneficial for older patients coping with age-related changes in the spine, and for those who wish to forestall or altogether avoid spinal surgery.
What to Expect After the Injection
The anaesthetic will give pain relief for a few hours after the injection for most people. But if that fails within a few hours, longer-lasting relief from the steroid could begin inside of a few days.
Mild discomfort at the injection area a few hours after treatment is normal and will typically undergo resolution within 24–48 hours. Most people can return to light activity within 24 hours and normal activities within a few days, depending on what feels comfortable.
If the injection works, it can be done up to three times per year. If your symptoms subside briefly or are only modestly improved, your doctor might look into alternatives, including radiofrequency ablation, physiotherapy and surgical procedures.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Facet joint injections themselves are safe, and the procedures are well-tolerated in skilled hands. But things can go wrong with any surgical procedure, and they all have risks, such as:
- Transient pain at the injection site.
- Infection (uncommon if the protocol is followed correctly).
- Bleeding or bruising.
- Moderate side effects of steroids including flushing, trouble sleeping or mood changes.
Extremely serious complications are very uncommon. To reduce adverse events, the procedure is performed under sterile conditions and with imaging guidance to help guide the needle accurately.
Conclusion
Facet joint injections are a targeted and powerful alternative treatment method for those dealing with ongoing neck or back pain. Whether they are administered to diagnose or treat a condition, these injections make it possible for patients to experience a great amount of relief and movement, with little to no recovery time.
If you have been suffering with pain associated with your spine, and are interested in knowing whether this innovative procedure is suitable for you, it is essential that you discuss it with a specialist who will be able to assess your symptoms and offer you individual advice.
To discuss this treatment/investigation, please book an appointment with our specialists.
Brought to you by Chase Lodge Hospital.
