Facet Injection Therapy in Douglasville, GA
Facet joint syndrome, or osteoarthritis, is a common condition which affects the facet joints in the spine. These joints are crucial to movement as they enable people to bend and turn smoothly. People who have facet syndrome may experience swelling and the deterioration of cartilage that allows these joints to move with ease. As a result, pain ensues and movement becomes much more complex. Treatment of facet joint symptoms at Stewart Parkway Medical is helpful in restoring mobility and reducing pain.
How Facet Injection Therapy Works
During a lumbar facet injection, our medical doctors will inject a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) and a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory medicine) into one or more cervical facet joints – these are the joints that provide stability and flexibility to the lower spine.
The injections are used to both diagnose and treat the area. If the injection temporarily lessens the pain and improves flexibility, our doctors will know which facet joint is causing the pain. The corticosteroid is used to treat inflammation of the facet joint.
What Happens During an Injection
A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin while our doctors insert a thin needle directly into the facet joint. Fluoroscopy, which is a type of x-ray, will be used to ensure the safe and proper position of the needle. Once we are sure the needle is correctly placed, the medicine will be injected.
Pain Relief through Facet Injection Therapy
Depending on the number of injured areas and the amount of inflammation, an injection could offer several months of pain relief before further treatment is needed. If there is no underlying bone or joint problem, one injection could bring long-term pain relief. If your pain is caused by injury to more than one area, only some of your symptoms may be helped by one injection.