If you suffer from back or neck pain and are tired of taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, talk to a doctor about whether facet joint injections are right for you. Facet injections contain a powerful combination of steroids and anesthetic. Both work together to bring down inflammation and pain. A facet injection directly targets the impacted facet joints in the spine, located at the top and bottom of each vertebra.
Certain conditions can irritate or inflame facet joints. Arthritis, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis are just a few examples. Facet joints in the lumbar region can cause lower back pain that radiates to the buttocks and legs, whereas inflamed facet joints in the cervical region of the spine can cause neck pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms. Facet injections are a viable solution for such pain symptoms.
Here are the benefits of facet joint injections.
Reduce Inflammation
For patients with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, chronic inflammation can slowly cause degeneration of joints, which contributes to greater pain and stiffness. In addition, damaged facet joints can cause disability. Bringing down inflammation using steroids can not only bring relief but also slow the progression of the damage.
Greater Pain Relief
While medication works to ease pain by blocking pain signals, facet joint injections work to decrease inflammation, which has a direct effect on the degree of pain you feel. The relief also lasts longer than any oral medication, with patients reporting relief from pain for months at a time. As such, patients are able to take less medications and enjoy life for long periods of time without pain.
Aids in Making a Diagnosis
Physicians may also be guided by facet joint injections in diagnosing your condition and subsequently administering treatment. Facet joints may be used to find out the root cause of pain, which is useful in determining the appropriate treatment.
Minimal Risks
Facet joint injections are nonsurgical and minimally-invasive, which means they come with fewer risks than other methods of treatment. There are no stitches or open wounds to deal with, and because of this, you have an extremely small risk of infection. Overall, facet joint injections are considered a very safe treatment.
Complements Other Conservative Treatment Methods
Facet joint injections allow other treatment methods to work even better and make you more receptive to them. For instance, physical therapy can produce greater benefits when facet joints have less inflammation. You will be able to actively participate in your exercises, which will help further reduce pain symptoms.
Facet Injections For Pain in Maryland
At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, our spine doctors provide facet joint injections as a treatment for pain in the neck and back. If you are interested in facet joint injections, come in for a consultation, and we will perform a comprehensive evaluation to make sure it is safe and effective in treating your specific condition.
To request an appointment, call The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics at (410) 644-1880 or submit a request now, and we will get back to you quickly.
