If you have a spine injury or general back pain, you want pain relief that lasts without developing an addiction to medication. You want to be able to live your life normally once again.
Treatment for a spine injury could include physical therapy, but immediate pain relief can be achieved by receiving facet injections in your back. Let’s talk about how this works and where you can go to find the pain relief you’re looking for.
What Are Facet Injections?
A facet injection consists of a local anesthetic and asteroid. Many types of facet injections contain both lidocaine and cortisone.
For the treatment, your doctor will inject the substance between the facet joints in your spine. These joints connect the adjacent vertebrae together to enable you to bend or twist. They are susceptible to arthritis and injury just like any other joint in your body, and the back pain can be alleviated in the same ways as well.
What to Expect Before, During, and After the Injection
The process of getting facet injections is rather simple:
Before
Before your injection, your orthopedic doctor will assess your back condition. The doctor will want to know the severity of your pain and when you experience it most. The physician will also collect information about your medical history.
From this information, your doctor will determine the cause of your pain and decide whether facet injections are right for you. The physician will also ensure that the injections are safe for you and that you won’t have a reaction to the ingredients.
During
Your practitioner will ask you to lie down. The doctor will cleanse the injection site and apply a topical anesthetic that will numb the area.
Your doctor will use fluoroscopy, which is a real-time X-ray technology, to determine the precise location of the injection site. This aids in reducing the possibility of a nerve injury. The doctor will then carefully inject the treatment.
After
Your pain will subside right away from the treatment. You may have an odd sensation at the injection site, and your medical practitioner may recommend using ice or an over-the-counter pain reliever to combat the symptoms.
For some people, it is possible to resume your usual daily activities immediately following the facet joint injection. Your doctor will give you recommendations based on your results and health.
Back Pain Treatment in Central Maryland
Here at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Spine Care, we have three convenient locations where you can find relief from your back pain. Our medical team will find a treatment that works to reduce your back pain so you can get back to enjoying life once again.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced physicians in Catonsville, Eldersburg, or Columbia, call our friendly staff today at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663). You may also fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you live without back pain!
