Facet joint, Southlake
A facet joint, Southlake block or injection is a minimally
invasive procedure in which a physician
injects a small amount of local anesthetic and/or
medication to numb a facet joint, Southlake and provide pain relief. Fluoroscopy, a form of real-time x-ray, or CT is used to guide the
placement of the needle into the facet joint.
A 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.
What are the benefits vs. risks?
Benefits
·
Pain relief is the primary benefit. You
may be anxious about the exposure to X-rays during this test. Please note:
o
No radiation remains in a patient's body after an x-ray
examination.
o
X-rays usually have no side effects in the diagnostic range.
Risks
- Any
procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The
chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than
one in 1,000.
- Allergic
reactions to the contrast material, steroid or local anesthetic may occur.
Life threatening or severe allergies are rare.
- Bleeding
is a rare complication that is more common for patients with underlying
bleeding disorders or in patients taking blood thinners.
- Nerve
or spinal cord damage or paralysis are rare but can occur as a result of
trauma from the needle or infection.
- Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist
if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
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