Procedure
The injection procedure includes the following steps:
- Commonly, the procedure is performed without any sedation, however, an IV line can be started if relaxation medicine is needed.
- The patient lies on a procedure table, and the skin over the area to be tested is well cleansed.
- The physician treats a small area of skin with a numbing medicine (anesthetic), which may sting for a few seconds.
- The physician uses X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to direct a very small needle into the facet joint.
- 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.
- Following this confirmation, a small mixture of anesthetic (such as lidocaine) and anti-inflammatory medication (steroid/cortisone) is then slowly injected into the joint.
The injection itself only takes a few minutes, but the entire procedure usually takes between fifteen and thirty minutes.
Immediately following the injection:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The patient will discuss with the doctor any immediate pain relief, and any questions or concerns.
The day of the injection:
On the day of the injection, patients are typically advised as follows:
- Avoid doing any strenuous activities.
- Patients should limit pain medicine within the first four to six hours after the injection so that the diagnostic information obtained is accurate.
- Avoid driving, unless specifically approved by the treating physician.
If sedation was used, the patient should not drive for 24 hours after the procedure.
