Facet Injection

1
Facet Injection

• Radiology Spine Injection Doctors

2
Facet Injection

• Your doctor thinks your facet joint is a cause of
  your pain.

Facet joint
3
Facet Injection

• Radiology Spine Injection Doctors can inject the
  facet joint often reduce the pain

Inject into facet joint
4
Before the Injection

• Let your doctor know if you are taking an
  anticoagulant or blood thinner
• Bring someone who can drive you home some people
  can feel weak in the legs after the procedure

5
Day of the injection

• Report to the Radiology Department in UW Hospital
  at G3/3 (Atrium elevators to the 3rd floor)
• If you have a MRI or CT of the spine from another
  hospital, bring it with you

6
Facet Injection

• The procedure will be described to you by a
  radiologist, and you can ask questions

7
Procedure

• Takes about 45 minutes
• You will lie on you stomach and a fine needle
  will be placed in your back to inject medication
  into the facet joint
• Medications are Lidocaine (to numb the area) and
  Corticosteroid (to reduce inflammation)

8
Possible complications

• complications are rare

9
Possible complications

• For 1-2 days after the procedure, some patients
  have had
• temporary worsening of back or leg pain
• redness and flushing around the face
• fluid gain which could cause breathing difficulty
  (if you have heart problems)
• higher blood sugars (if you are diabetic)

10
After the injection

• Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours
• Take your usual medicines for back pain
• You will be given a phone number to call if any
  drainage, swelling, or increased pain at the
  injection site