What to expect after facet joint injections?
The precise treatment you’ve been anticipating or a nervous feeling while approaching facet joint injections! These injections represent a turning point in your spine pain treatment in Dubai. Facet joint injections are a standard procedure used to diagnose or treat pain originating from the small joints in your spine.
If you’re reading from a recovery chair or nervously preparing for the procedure, it’s crucial to understand the journey after facet joint injections. What should you expect as the hours and days unfold?
What is spinal injection and its types?
Spinal injection is a medical procedure for diagnosing and treating neck or back paintreatment in Dubai. The targeted injection is directly applied to the specific spine area, offering quick relief to patients suffering from acute or chronic spine discomfort.
The different types of spinal injection include,
- Epidural steroid injections are injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord.
- Facet joint injections are delivered to the small joints that connect vertebrae.
- Nerve root blocks target specific nerve roots.
- Sacroiliac joint injection focuses on joints connecting the spine to the pelvis.
What are facet joint injections?
Facet joint injection is a medical procedure precisely delivered into the spine’s facet joints. Facet joints are small joints located in pairs along the back of your spine; they connect your vertebrae. The facet joints guide your spine’s movement and ensure stability while twisting or bending.
When should you consider facet joint injection for spine pain treatment?
You should consider facet joint injections for spine pain treatment when you face the following symptoms,
- Arthritis in Spine
- Earlier Trauma or Spinal injury
- Degenerative changes
- Chronic neck pain that spreads to shoulders or upper back
- Severe back pain extending to the buttocks
- Pain that worsens while twisting or bending
- Persistent pain that doesn’t resolve with conservative treatments such as over-the-counter medications, exercise, and physical therapy.
- Severe pain in the morning or after hours of inactivity.
Facet Joint Injections -What is the procedure?
The facet joint injection is a less invasive procedure that takes less than 30 minutes. During the procedure, you will lie on your stomach and connect with machines to monitor your vitals. The skin will be sterilized around the injection site and covered to prevent contamination. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the injection area. Using a CT scan or fluoroscopy, the surgeon will insert the facet joint injection into the spine joint.
Additionally, they might inject a contrast dye to check whether the needle is in your joint. After injection, the needle is removed, and the surgeon pressure to prevent bleeding. It’s an outpatient or a day case procedure; you can go home on the same day.
What to expect after facet joint injections?
Immediately after the injection, rest in the recovery area for 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the medical team will ask you to perform spine movements to check whether you experience immediate pain relief.
After returning home, you might experience numbness at the injection site, which resolves within a few hours. Some patients also experience swelling or soreness at the injection site. Using a cold compress will reduce swelling.
Immediate Pain Relief
The initial pain relief occurs due to the presence of the local anaesthetic. However, you can expect pain until the steroid starts to take effect. The steroid takes 2 to 7 days to develop fully, and you can experience pain relief for up to several months. However, each patient reacts differently, and pain relief depends on it.
Restrictions after facet joint injections
- Avoid driving on the day of injection because surgeons will use sedation, and it’s not recommended to drive for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid heavy physical activities for at least 1 to 2 days post-injection
- Gradually resume your routine activities after the doctor’s advice.
How long will the results last after facet joint injection?
The pain relief period varies according to the individual. Mainly, the patients can experience long-term relief from 3 to 6 months or even up to 1 year. Some patients require repeated injections to maintain pain relief; typically, they need 3 to 4 injections per year. Moreover, the results depend on underlying spine conditions, patient age, individual response, injection accuracy, posture habits, activity level, and ergonomic practices. Consulting a spine specialist or pain management doctor will help you assess the severity of the spine injury and develop a comprehensive treatment plan for future recovery.
What are the complications associated with facet joint injections?
While facet joint injections are generally safe, some patients may experience side effects, including:
- Localized Pain or Swelling: These usually resolve within a few days.
- Headache: Some individuals may develop a headache, especially if the cervical spine is treated.
- Allergic Reaction: Though rare, monitor for signs like rash, itching, or difficulty breathing, and seek medical attention if they occur.
- Temporary Increase in Pain: Some patients may notice a short-term flare in pain before the steroid takes effect.
- Bleeding from the injection site, under the skin or in the surrounding muscle. Usually this would stop by itself and hematoma would resolve within approximately 2 weeks.
- Infection: if the injection site would be contaminated with bacteria, it could end up in an infection and building of an abscess, which is very rare when using proper disinfection.
When should you consult a pain management doctor or spine surgeon?
Contact your spine surgeon or pain management doctor Dubai if you experience the following:
- Severe or worsening pain.
- Redness or infection at the injection site.
- Fever.
- Numbness or weakness lasting longer than a few hours.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Reset your spine joints - Spine Pain treatment with Dr. Martin Liner
Facet joint injections are a valuable tool for managing spinal pain and improving quality of life. Some patients have significant and long-lasting relief, while others require further treatment. Consulting a Spine surgeon can help you determine the best course of action based on the severity of the condition.
Dr. Martin Liner is a leading consultant neuro and spine surgeon in Dubai with 20+ years of expertise in treating spine-related disorders. Whether chronic or acute, Dr. Liner offers a comprehensive treatment plan with minimally invasive techniques and pain management solutions.
Unlock the secret to a healthy spine with Dr. Martin Liner! Your spine health matters – book an appointment now!
