Facet Joint Block

International Spine Intervention Society - Patient Information

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What is it?
A block that is performed to confirm that a facet join is the source of pain and decrease pain and inflammation in a facet joint or joints.

facetblk5.GIF (17342 bytes)

How is it done?
The patient is given a local skin anesthetic - a needle is then inserted into the facet joint or facet capsule and an anesthetic and steroid are injected by the physician. This is done under fluoroscopy.

facet joint block, needle placement

Expected Results
Decrease in or relief of back pain.

How long does it take?
Thirty minutes.

Blocks are done in conjunction with physical therapy.

Glossary

Facet Joints - Joints located on the back of the spine on each side where one vertebrae slightly overlaps the adjacent vertebrae. They guide and restrict movement of the spine.

Fluoroscopy - X-ray imaging of a part of the body that is displayed on a screen or monitor in the block suite - this facilitates and assures proper placement of the needle and medication.

Discogram

SNRB

Epidural

Facet

Sympathetic

Costovertebral

Stellate Ganglion

Neurotomy

Article written 00/00/0000
Published online 00/00/0000
Last updated 08/12/2007

Judicious use of selective injections can provide both therapeutic and diagnostic benefits. Each shot is tailored to the specific anatomical area in question and should never be combined in the same sitting. Each shot should be performed to confirm or rule out a potential site of pain generation. In such an organized fashion a spine specialist may be able to clarify what was previously a diagnostic dilemma.

Christopher P. Silveri, MD

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