In 40-60% of patients with chronic back pain, the pain is caused by degenerative changes in the facet joints or SI joints.
This is the most often overlooked cause of lumbar and cervical spine pain, and even when diagnosed in this indication, there is no surgical treatment option. The method of joint infiltration using a combination of an anti-inflammatory drug and a long-acting anesthetic is very often an effective method that can significantly reduce or completely cure pain for a long time.
What is the procedure for applying facet joint infiltration?
This procedure is performed in the operating room under the control of a diascopic machine. The use of an X-ray machine is necessary if the procedure is to be performed correctly. The patient is lying on the operating table
stomach on the table. The skin and subcutaneous tissue are infiltrated with a local anesthetic, then the needle is introduced under the control of the X-ray machine. The position of the needle is confirmed by the application of contrast, after which
the medicine is injected and the needle is removed.
The duration of the procedure is about 30 minutes, after which the patient goes to the observation room, where he stays for at least another 30 minutes.
When the doctor is sure that the patient is fine and that there are no allergic reactions to drugs or other complications, he is discharged home accompanied by a responsible and adult person, who will take the patient home.
Patient behavior after epidural steroid injection
On the day of the injection, the patient should rest. If he/she does a physically demanding job, the rest should last 24-48 hours. After that, it is allowed to return to earlier activities.