Why would you need the procedure?
Facet joints are paired joints of the posterior side of the spine which articulate cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and allow movements of the spine. The degenerative changes of the facet joints can cause pain, usually in the elderly patients.
When would you need the procedure?
When a patient experiences a chronic pain in the lumbar or cervical spine.
What does the procedure include?
This procedure is X-ray guided, so the tip of the thin spinal needle is inserted directly near the nerve that conducts pain sensations from the joint. The position of the needle is then checked, followed by administration of the contrast agent and local anaesthetic infusion. A pain in the cervical and lumbar spine reduces shortly after a few minutes it was caused by the painful facet joints.
How to get prepared?
There is no special preparation for this procedure. A patient is to come accompanied with an adult person, because is not allowed to drive a car after the procedure. A patient should keep a record of pain after the procedure.
Related tests and examinations:
Recommendation by an orthopedic or trauma surgeon broaden with ECG and diagnostic
spinal X-ray and MRI examinations.