What is a Facet Joint Injection?
Facet Joint Injection is an injection of a long lasting steroid ( cortisone ) in the Facet joints. The facet joints are paired joints in the back that have opposing surfaces of cartilage (cushioning tissue between the bones) and a surrounding capsule. Twisting injuries can cause damage to one or both facet joints, and cartilage degeneration associated with aging may also cause pain. How does it work? The steroid injected reduces the inflammation and/or swelling of tissue in the joint space. This may in turn reduce pain, and other symptoms caused by inflammation/irritation of the joint and surrounding structures. How long does the injection take? The actual injection takes only a few minutes. What medications are used for the injection? The injection consists of a mixture of local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivicaine) and the steroid medication (triamcinolone-Kenalog or methylprednisolone-Depo-Medrol) Does the injection hurt? The procedure involves inserting a needle through the skin an
Facet Joint Injection is an injection of long lasting steroid (“cortisone”) in the facet joints – which are located in the back area the spinal bony structure. These joints are actual joints with joint capsule that contains lubricating fluids. What is the purpose of a Facet Joint Injection? The steroid injected reduces the inflammation and/or swelling of tissue in the joint space. This may in turn reduce pain, and other symptoms caused by inflammation / irritation of the joint and surrounding structures. How long does the injection take? The actual injection takes only a few minutes. What is actually injected? The injection consists of a mixture of local anesthetic (like lidocaine or bupivacaine) and the steroid medication (methylprednisolone – Depo-medrol®). Will the injection(s) hurt? The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues (like a “Flu shot”). There is some mild discomfort involved. However, the skin and deeper tissues are numbed with a local anesth
Facet Joint Injection is an injection of long lasting steroid (“cortisone”) in the Facet joints which are located in the back area, as a part of the bony structure. • What is the purpose of it? The steroid injected reduces the inflammation and/or swelling of tissue in the joint space. This may in turn reduce pain, and other symptoms caused by inflammation / irritation of the joint and surrounding structures. • How long does the injection take? The actual injection takes only a few minutes. • What is actually injected? The injection consists of a mixture of local anesthetic (like lidocaine or bupivacaine) and the steroid medication (triamcinolone Aristocort or methylprednisolone Depo-medrol). • Will the injections hurt? The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues (like a “tetanus shot”). So, there is some discomfort involved. However, we numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic using a very thin needle prior to inserting the needle into the
