Facet Injections

Facet Joint Injections: Targeted Relief for Spine Pain

Facet joint injections are a quick and effective option for identifying and relieving spine pain. These injections help determine if your facet joints – small joints that help support and stabilize the spine—are the source of your discomfort. When they’re healthy, facet joints help your spine move freely, allowing you to bend and twist with ease. But factors like osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or injuries from accidents can inflame these joints, leading to pain and limited mobility.

At Advanced Pain Consultants in Raleigh, Dr. Sonia Pasi specializes in this procedure, which typically takes just 5-10 minutes and can significantly reduce pain.

What to Expect During a Facet Joint Injection

The process is straightforward and designed for comfort. Here’s what happens during the procedure:

1. Preparation and Numbing: To keep you comfortable, a local anesthetic is first applied to numb the skin and tissue around the injection site.
2. Guided Needle Insertion: Using a special X-ray tool called fluoroscopy, the doctor carefully guides a needle to the facet joint. Precise needle placement is essential for effective pain relief.
3. Injecting Pain-Relieving Medication: Once the needle is correctly positioned in the facet joint, a combination of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication (such as lidocaine or cortisone) is injected. This mixture works to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, often providing immediate relief.

For the best outcome, facet joint injections are often paired with physical therapy, helping you regain mobility and maintain the benefits of the injection.

If you’re dealing with chronic spine pain, don’t wait to find relief. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Sonia Pasi. Call us at (919) 800-0850 to start your journey toward pain-free living.