Treatment for Facet Joint Disease
Posted June, 2008
The first—and most important—issue in treating FJD is to properly diagnose that it's really what's causing the pain. One of the best ways of accurately diagnosing FJD is to perform a Facet Joint "nerve block" using a temporary pain-relieving agent combined with an anti-inflammatory chemical (such as a steroid).
This helps both properly pinpoint the joints generating pain and it provides evidence that a slightly more involved blocking procedure can effect much longer-term relief. Most insurance plans require what is sometimes called this "investigatory" blocking procedure before they will approve a more permanent solution.
Doctor Robb will happily explain the overall procedure he wishes to perform during your office consultation.
The process is reasonably simple, and most patients may find it more or less about as uncomfortable as a regular injection to the same vicinity of the body. While you're lying face-down on a comfortable table (similar to that used by chiropractors or massage therapists) in the flouroscopy suite, the doctor may elect to give you a mild sedative in order to relax possibly tense muscles or relieve any nervousness you may have. He'll discuss your need for this at the time of the procedure.
After you've had a moment to relax, Doctor Robb will insert a special needle into the general area of the afflicted joint. He'll inject a local anesthetic that will quickly numb the tissue and then put what's called a "bolus" of the required chemicals into the painful facet joint (or perhaps multiple joints).
This insertion of anesthetic into the degenerated joint should help to relieve your pain. How long this takes varies by patient and condition, but typically some relief happens immediately. The doctor may use the flouroscopic instruments to examine other, nearby joints. He may also infuse medication into additional joints in order to attempt to fully relieve your spinal pain.
Due to the nature of this type of spinal ailment, damage to facets seems to follow a pattern involving a group of multiple surfaces, and these are usually on one side of the column.
Although—of course—your issues may be different in this regard. The doctor will assess your needs and make a decision as to what will best help you both prior to and during the procedure.
Afterwards...
Once the procedure is complete, our staff will escort you to a quiet room so you can relax for awhile and so they can evaluate your reaction to the treatment. Most people find they'll have some soreness right at the injection point (or points) for a day or two. That's normal. But after a few days they should experience much less discomfort when doing things that previous to the procedure may've triggered painful episodes.
Depending on several factors, after this important "investigative step," you and Doctor Robb may elect to employ longer-acting blocks. At that time, depending on which procedure you and he decide is best, you may either receive a similar injection—only one that has a long-acting denervating agent such as Phenol—or you and he may choose to utlize another technique.
Contact our office today to arrange a consultation on how we can help you live a better, more pain-free life.