Facet Injections

What is a Facet Joint?

Facet Joints are small joints located at each segment of the spine that provide stability and assistance in guiding spinal movement.  

Why is a Facet Joint Injection procedure performed?

Facet Joints can become painful due to back strain, injury or degenerative diseases such as arthritis.

What is a Facet Joint Injection and how is it carried out?

A Facet Joint Injection is either used to help diagnose the exact location and cause of pain or used to provide straight pain relief.

Various solutions of pain relief medication can be injected during a Facet Joint Injection procedure ranging from anti-inflammatory solutions, steroids to local anaesthetic.

Facet Joint Injections should always be performed by an expert in pain relief treatments, such as a Consultant Neurosurgeons,  Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons or Consultant Anaesthetists. The procedure is usually quick and easy to perform with a sterile needle and syringe and pain relief can be instant or in some cases a more gradual and progressive improvement.

When successful the duration of pain relief experienced following a Facet Joint injection is entirely variable in each individual and ranges anywhere from a few weeks to many months. 

Are there any risks associated with Facet Joint Injection?

The main risk associated with this condition is related to the possible failure of the treatment, experiencing an adverse reaction to the injected medication or the possibility of the specialist accidentally puncturing the surrounding nerves or vessels.

Although Facet Joint Injections are very regularly performed without any complications it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking specialist pain relief procedure of this kind.

All procedures, no mater how expertly or carefully they are performed, carry risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for a Facet Joint Injection procedure?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Spinal Fusion surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic and Neuro Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex spinal surgery and because of their specialist spinal surgery expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert in Facet Joint Injection procedures:

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com