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What Are Facet Joint Blocks?

Patients complaining of neck or back pain could be suffering from a number of spinal conditions: facet joint syndrome, spinal stenosis, disc herniation—the list goes on and on. Regardless, using facet joint injections, or facet blocks, can be a great way to determine whether or not a facet joint in the patient’s spine is causing pain.

Many physicians, like Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine, may use this non-surgical procedure to figure out what minimally invasive treatment option could be best for the patient afterward. Or, the procedure itself could provide adequate pain relief, ruling out minimally invasive spine surgeries as treatment options.

Facet joints are found in between vertebrae and are meant to provide stability and flexibility to the spine. Certain spinal conditions, like the ones mentioned above (i.e. facet joint syndrome, spinal stenosis, disc herniation), can make facet joints and the tissues surrounding them inflamed and swollen. When this happens, the structures can inadvertently compress one or more spinal nerves, causing radiating pain, numbness and/or muscle weakness.

If patients experience these kinds of symptoms, and have not responded well to conservative treatments like rest, taking aspirin, physical therapy or bracing, a physician may use a facet joint block to figure out possible pain management solutions. Facet joint injections are anesthetic/steroid solutions that get injected into tissues surrounding facet joints.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Most patients have reported a slight stinging or burning sensation from the local anesthetic when the injection is administered. This should go away after a few seconds, and if the procedure was a success, you should feel pain relief almost immediately.

Dr. Giovanini will discuss with you how to properly prepare for the procedure and provide insight on possible risks. It is important for patients undergoing this procedure to keep track of any kind of pain relief they may feel the following few days. The feedback you provide is essential and will help the doctor determine next steps in your treatment plan.

For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment. We hope to see you soon!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.

© NeuroMicroSpine, 2014

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