Facet joint, Southlake Injection Procedure
Facet
joint, Southlake injection is a relatively simple,
straightforward procedure, and is usually performed in an office based
procedure suite or in an ambulatory surgical center.
As
with many spinal injections, facet joint, Southlake injections are best
performed using fluoroscopy (live X-ray) for guidance to properly target and
place the needle (and to help avoid nerve injury or other injury).
The Facet Injection
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Commonly, the procedure is performed
without any sedation, however, an IV line can be started if relaxation medicine
is needed.
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The patient lies on a procedure table, and
the skin over the area to be tested is well cleansed.
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The physician treats a small area of skin
with a numbing medicine (anesthetic), which may sting for a few seconds.
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The physician uses X-ray guidance
(fluoroscopy) to direct a very small needle into the facet joint.
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A small amount of contrast dye is then
injected to confirm that the needle is in the joint and that medication is contained
inside the joint.
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Following this confirmation, a small
mixture of anesthetic (such as lidocaine) and anti-inflammatory medication
(steroid/cortisone) is then slowly injected into the joint.
Immediately Following the Injection
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After
the procedure, the patient typically remains resting in
the recovery area for twenty to thirty minutes, and then is asked to perform
some movements or activities that would usually provoke their pain.
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Patients may or may not obtain pain relief
in the first few hours after the injection, depending upon whether or not the
joints targeted are the main source of their pain. If the joint or joints being
targeted are not causing their pain, a patient will not obtain immediate relief
from injection.
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On occasion, patients may feel numb or
have a slightly weak or odd feeling in their neck or back for a few hours after
the injection.
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The patient will discuss with the doctor
any immediate pain relief, and any questions or concerns.
The Day of the Injection
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Avoid doing any strenuous activities.
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Patients should limit pain medicine within
the first four to six hours after the injection so that the diagnostic
information obtained is accurate.
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Avoid driving, unless specifically
approved by the treating physician.
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If sedation was used, the patient should
not drive for 24 hours after the procedure.
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