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Joints of the spine, known as facet joints, are what makes it possible for you to twist, turn, and bend. If any of these joints becomes irritated or damaged, you can experience pain. At Integrated Spine Institute, facet blocks are small injections, administered with the use of a local anesthetic, that ease discomfort from facet joint pain.
If you think facet blocks could help your facet joint pain, take the first step to finding relief with our free interactive assessment.
The facet joints in your spine are located close to nerves, so it can easily trigger pain when compressed, irritated, or otherwise impacted. Nerves extend from the spinal cord through the facet joints and carry signals throughout the body.
When facet joint pain impacts the nearby nerves, radiating pain and inflammation can be felt along the spine, and in the arms and legs.
Facet blocks are commonly used to:
At Integrated Spine Institute, facet blocks are given at the location of the affected facet joint using a real-time X-ray called a fluoroscopy to guide the needle to the precise facet joint. The injected medication numbs the facet joint providing relief from facet joint pain. The numbing agent reduces sensation in the facet joint to prevent pain signals from being sent to the brain. Steroid medication is sometimes included with the injection to ease swelling that may be placing pressure on nearby nerves.
One of the most common causes of facet joint pain is degeneration of the soft tissues in and surrounding a facet joint. As we age, the cartilage in our facet joints can break down and become inflamed. This can trigger pain signals in along nerve paths as they branch throughout the body. Additionally, as the cartilage breaks down, the space between the vertebrae get smaller and smaller until the bones grind against each other.
Other common causes of facet joint pain include:
You don’t need to live with facet joint pain. If you think facet blocks at the Integrated Spine Institute are the right pain management solution for you, confirm your treatment assessment below.
Like many injections used for pain management at the Integrated Spine Institute, facet blocks are a low-risk procedure that can be administered easily. It is an effective method for relieving pain and inflammation caused by facet joint pain.
Facet blocks are often considered when other attempts at easing neck or back pain aren’t effective or when a possible source of pain is suspected. If you have exhausted other methods of conservative treatment, facet blocks may be the right next step for you.
The goal of facet blocks is to alleviate your pain and reduce inflammation , allowing you to gain range of motion and return to normal daily activities. For therapeutic purposes, injections are often combined with appropriate exercises to improve the strength of back-supporting muscles and similar pain management treatments.
Facet blocks will not resolve any underlying issues that may be contributing to your discomfort. For example, if there is structural damage to the affected facet joint, minimally invasive spine surgery may become an option when facet blocks aren’t effective.
Facet blocks can help alleviate facet joint pain by reducing the swelling of the nerves in and nearby the affected joint. As swelling and pain decrease, your range of motion and mobility returns. Facet block injections may include a time-release steroid. The slow release of the steroid may provide extended relief for several weeks or months following the initial injection. Relief experienced from the block may also make it easier to participate in physical therapy sessions without distracting pain.
If you have confirmed facet joint pain, have not seen success or results with other conservative treatments, you could be a candidate for facet blocks. To find out if you are a candidate for facet blocks try our candidacy check tool.
Integrated Spine Institute
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10866 Riverside Dr.
North Hollywood, CA 91602