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All Posts Tagged: facet block injections

NOW-YOU-CAN-GET-RELIEF-FROM-LOWER-BACK-PAIN-BY-FACET-BLOCK-INJECTIONS

NOW YOU CAN GET RELIEF FROM LOWER BACK PAIN BY FACET BLOCK INJECTIONS

Facet joint block is a minimally invasive procedure to provide pain relief in facet joint. Facet block injections are injected into one or more of the small joints located along the side of each vertebrae on both sides of the spine in the lower part of the back to help reduce pain. It reduces inflammation and provides long term lower back pain relief.

Objective of facet block injections:

There are two major goals of facet block injections;

  • Help diagnose the cause and location of pain
  • To provide pain relief

By placing numbing medicine into the facet joint, doctor will determine if the facet joint is a source of pain.

Procedure:

The facet block injection procedure includes following steps;

  • At first, skin over the area to be tested is well cleansed with a numbing medicine which may sting for a few seconds.
  • X-ray guidance or fluoroscopy has been used by the physician to direct a very small needle into the facet joint
  • Small amount of contrast dye is then injected to confirm that the needle is in the joint and to check that the medication is contained inside the joint
  • At last, a small mixture of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication; commonly steroid/cortisone is then slowly injected into the joint

The entire procedure usually takes between fifteen and thirty minutes

After care of facet block injection:

  • Apply ice or a cold pack to the area of the injection site if you are feeling any pain or discomfort
  • Continue taking your regular pain medicine
  • You can do your regular daily activities after a day of injection
  • Physical therapy or manual therapy is recommended since cortisol is working for several days after a facet block injection

Benefits:

  • Pain relief is the primary or most important benefit
  • Although you have an exposure to x-rays but no radiation remains in your body after an x-ray examination

 

Side effects:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Discomfort at the point of the injection
  • Worsening of pain symptoms in some cases
  • Nerve or spinal cord damage or paralysis

Some people will experience side effects due to steroids used in facet block injections. Side effects caused by steroids are;

  • Fluid retention, weight gain, or increased appetite
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, insomnia
  • High blood sugar
  • A feeling of warmth for several days
  • Decrease in immunity

Pain management institute is helping people to cure acute and chronic long term pain to resume a normal life style. PMI has provided many treatments like stem cell therapy and many others.

For more details call on 815-412-6174

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Facet block injections and your pain symptoms

A facet block injections are comparatively simple and direct procedure, can be easily performed in a pain management clinic. As with other spinal injections the, facet block injections are the most recommended they works well with the guidance of X-ray to help the needle reach the targeted nerve  and avoid maximum damage to other nerves

The procedure of facet joint injections 

The facet block injections can be carried out by the following steps:

Traditionally, the process is carried out without any numbness or local anesthesia, only an IV injection is given if needed. The procedure is initiated by the patient lying on the examination table. The skin of the area to be treated is cleaned with an antiseptic. A numbing medication is given in a selected area of the skin, which may create a stinging  effect for a few seconds. The practitioner takes help from the X-Ray to place the needle in the correct position. A small amount of pigmentation is given through the thin needle in the facet joint to confirm the nerve that is pinched. Along with the pigmentation a small amount of  anesthesia and steroid is given into the facet joint. The facet joint injection only takes a few minutes, however, the whole procedure takes fifteen to thirty minutes

What to expect immediately after the  facet block injections

Soon after the facet block injections the candidate is allowed to rest in the recovery area for about twenty to thirty minutes and is observed upon certain movements or actions that might have a chance of stimulating pain. In some cases, patients may not be given pain relievers, however, this depends upon the joints that are aimed. If the certain facet that undergo facet block injection joints are not the source of pain, the pain relievers are not given. In some cases, patients might feel numbing effect or might feel weakness in the neck or back for a couple of hours after facet block injections. Patients are advised to avoid any intense activities, pain killer drugs must be reduced from the initial four to six weeks after the facet block injections so that the information obtained for diagnostic purpose is accurate. The patient might avoid driving unless it is  approved by the physician, if any seductive medication is used, then it is highly prescribed to avoid driving for 24 hours of the facet block injections

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from a severe back pain  and looking for a safe and cost-effective treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results.

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