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Hi all,
Some of you asked me ...I think it was you jarca??
About what kind of injections I had for my back. Here is the information, to describe what they did, why, and how it could help.
Facet Joint Block for Back Pain Management
In cases where the facet joint itself is the pain generator,
a facet block injection can be performed to alleviate the pain.
Similar to SNRBs, facet block injections are a diagnostic tool used
to isolate and confirm the specific source of back pain for the patient.
Additionally, facet blocks have a therapeutic effect as they numb the
source of pain and soothe the inflammation for the patient.
The facet joints are paired joints in the back that have apposing
surfaces of cartilage (cushioning tissue between the bones)
and a surrounding capsule.
Twisting injuries can cause damage to one or both facet joints,
and cartilage degeneration associated with aging may also cause pain.
In a facet block procedure, a physician uses fluoroscopy (live x-ray
) to guide the needle into the facet joint capsule to inject
lidocaine (a numbing agent) and/or a steroid (an anti-inflammatory medication).
If the patients pain goes away after the injection, it can be inferred that
the pain generator is the specific facet joint capsule that has just been injected.
If the facet block procedure is effective in alleviating the patient's low
back pain, it is often considered reasonable for the procedure to be done
up to three times per year.
There are very few risks associated with this technique.
******SO FAR, I still have pain, but it can take a week or more, for it to take effect. They also say, it will get worse before it gets better.
Boo
Some of you asked me ...I think it was you jarca??
About what kind of injections I had for my back. Here is the information, to describe what they did, why, and how it could help.
Facet Joint Block for Back Pain Management
In cases where the facet joint itself is the pain generator,
a facet block injection can be performed to alleviate the pain.
Similar to SNRBs, facet block injections are a diagnostic tool used
to isolate and confirm the specific source of back pain for the patient.
Additionally, facet blocks have a therapeutic effect as they numb the
source of pain and soothe the inflammation for the patient.
The facet joints are paired joints in the back that have apposing
surfaces of cartilage (cushioning tissue between the bones)
and a surrounding capsule.
Twisting injuries can cause damage to one or both facet joints,
and cartilage degeneration associated with aging may also cause pain.
In a facet block procedure, a physician uses fluoroscopy (live x-ray
) to guide the needle into the facet joint capsule to inject
lidocaine (a numbing agent) and/or a steroid (an anti-inflammatory medication).
If the patients pain goes away after the injection, it can be inferred that
the pain generator is the specific facet joint capsule that has just been injected.
If the facet block procedure is effective in alleviating the patient's low
back pain, it is often considered reasonable for the procedure to be done
up to three times per year.
There are very few risks associated with this technique.
******SO FAR, I still have pain, but it can take a week or more, for it to take effect. They also say, it will get worse before it gets better.
Boo
darn steroids :(
i asked if i could get the shots with just the lidocane and they said that is just short acting numbzit so wouldn't help me.
a year ago, my old dr put me in the hospital & tried steroids again and about killed me as my BP dropped to 60/40 once again (enough pain will get me to try anythingLOL).
and funny thing is the steroids made all the joints in my body hurt worse (even the joints that don't normally hurt).
in one way i'm glad i can't do steroids as dr's seem to want to give them for everything & they may work for a bit, but the long term effects are can be even more torture later (brittle bones etc).
i don't mind some pain, but it sure would be nice to get it bearable (around a 4 instead of 5/6 all the time; even with meds).
i guess we all have our crosses to bear & i'm grateful that i have my fanny pack O2 that i don't have to carry the tanks on my shoulders & neck area --- i'm hoping when i get the POC that the little cart thing will make it easier also.
once again ty for the info and i hope your shots start working for you soon ((((HUGS)))))