Overview:
- Facet joints are located throughout the spine and they help your back bend and twist.
- Because these joints are made partially of cartilage, they can become easily damaged from degenerative diseases such as arthritis. Additionally, facet joints support many nerves, so pain is common when degeneration or damage is present.
- In this blog, the pain management specialists at Tulsa Pain Consultants explain what happens when facet joint injections don’t work.
When we mention interventional pain care in these blogs, we are usually talking about the various procedures and treatment options available for those living in pain. Although this type of medicine (pain management) is extremely effective, it is also highly complex. Unfortunately, there is no “magic bullet” that can provide total pain relief for any condition or ailment, which is why pain specialists may administer a number of treatments to provide the patient with sufficient pain relief.
When it comes to managing pain in the back or spine, there is a wide variety of treatment options that can mitigate pain. For muscle pain in the back, interventional pain care may include the following:
- Pain medication
- Muscle relaxants
- Massage therapy
- Trigger point injections
For degeneration in the spine, physicians may turn to some of the previously mentioned interventions as well as injection therapy. Of course, every patients’ condition and experience with pain are unique, so it’s important medical guidance from a trained professional is sought to determine an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
Facet joint injections are a popular choice for patients experiencing pain from degeneration in the spine. These injections contain a medication and anesthetic mixture to not only diagnose the source of pain but to also provide relief. Initially, these injections will be used for diagnostic purposes. However, if the patient experiences significant and extended relief (75% pain relief for at least two hours), they may be used for treatment.
Now, if you don’t experience relief from the facet joint injection at all during the diagnostic portion of this procedure, there is a chance your pain has not been identified and the cause is still unknown. If this is the case, your physician will perform other tests to pinpoint the source of your pain.
If you do experience some relief, but it begins to wane after several injections, you may be a candidate for a longer-lasting treatment option called radiofrequency ablation. This procedure uses radio waves and electrical currents to burn off damaged nerve tissue. To learn more about radiofrequency ablation, visit our Treatments section, or called Tulsa Pain Consultants to schedule an appointment with one of our pain care specialists.
Tulsa Pain Consultants is a multi-location pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 918-742-7030 or Request An Appointment to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.