Diagnostic Facet Injection
Click on picture for diagrams of lumbar vertebrae
Click on picture for diagrams of thorasic vertebrae
What is it?
A block that is performed to confirm that a facet joint is the source of pain, and decrease pain and inflammation in a facet joint or joints.
The patient is given a local skin anesthetic. Then, under fluoroscopic guidance, another needle is inserted in the facet joint or capsule, and an anesthetic are injected.
How long does it take?
Thirty minutes.
Expected results:
Decrease in or relief of back pain. Blocks are done in conjunction with physical therapy. It is done as a test (diagnostic procedure) using two different local anesthetics, which last for different lengths of time. If you have positive results from these, a facet rhizotomy will be done to provide longer-lasting relief.