What Next If Facet Joint Injections Don’t Work?

People frequently use facet joint injections to relieve ongoing back or neck pain. These injections focus on small connections in your backbone, called facet joints. Conditions like arthritis, injuries, or others can cause these to swell and hurt.
Although these injections can be exceptionally useful for numerous individuals, they occasionally fail to provide the needed ease. What next if facet joint injections don’t work?
Let’s look into the details.
Have you had constant pain in your back or neck? If you’ve tried facet joint injections but are still in pain, contact ARK Medical of Las Vegas. We offer personal care and advice.

What Is a facet joint injection?

It’s usually a two-part procedure.

1. A local anesthetic numbs the area for immediate comfort.
2. A corticosteroid lowers swelling and gives more extended relief, often for weeks or months.

Doctors use fluoroscopy or live X-ray guidance to ensure the needle enters the disturbed facet joint.

Understanding Why Facet Joint Injections May Not Work

Before exploring alternative treatments, it’s essential to understand why facet joint injections might not be effective. Here are some potential reasons:

1. Incorrect Diagnosis: Sometimes, the root of your pain might not be facet joints, even if your symptoms suggest it. Other conditions, such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or muscle-related problems, could be the culprit.
2. Insufficient Relief: The injections might only soothe some pain, but not all. The pain could return once the anesthesia fades.
3. Tolerance: Your body might build up resistance to the injections over time, decreasing their effectiveness.
4. Severity of Condition: If your condition is severe, these injections alone might not suffice to control the pain.

Next Steps if Facet Joint Injections Don’t Work

Consider several other treatment options if your facet joint injections don’t provide relief. Your next steps should be based on a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional.
If facet joint injections aren’t easing your pain, don’t worry there are more options. Your medical professional can guide you on the next steps after a complete evaluation.

1.  Reevaluation of Diagnosis

More detailed MRI or CT scans can show if your discomfort stems from facet joints or another spine part.
A Second Opinion: Ask for another perspective from a spine or pain expert to confirm your diagnosis.

2. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

The radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure destroys pain-transmitting nerve fibers in the facet joints through heat, offering a more lasting reprieve than injections. It’s beneficial for patients with diagnosed facet joint pain.

3. Physical Therapy

Strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and lessen facet joint strain with physical therapy, a long-term pain management strategy. Learn about postures and ergonomics. Good posture and ergonomic practices can help reduce your pain and prevent further spinal damage.

4. Medications

Medication Use Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter or prescribed medication can alleviate discomfort. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce inflammation and pain in the facet joints. Muscle relaxants can help.

5. Alternative Therapies

Chiropractic treatments can help align your spine and reduce facet joint stress, but only licensed practitioners are involved.
Consider Acupuncture: Acupuncture can relieve pain by inserting fine needles into specific body points. Get a therapeutic massage. It can ease muscle tension that contributes to your pain.

6. Lifestyle Modifications

Excess weight puts more strain on your spine. Diet and exercise-driven weight loss can lessen the pressure on your facet joints, easing pain.
Exercise Regularly: Try low impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga to maintain spinal fitness and reduce pain.

7. Surgery as a Last Resort

Facet joint surgery is considered only in rare cases when all else fails, including facet joint fusion or replacement.
Spinal fusion if severe degenerative changes cause pain, doctors might recommend fusing two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.

8. Psychological Support

CBT helps you handle chronic pain and stress for holistic wellness. Joining a group of chronic pain sufferers can offer emotional help and practical tips from empathic individuals.

9. Pain Management Programs

Look for pain management centers offering comprehensive programs that combine physical therapy, medications, psychological support, and more.
Customized Treatment Plans: Such programs custom-build treatment plans specific to patients’ physical and emotional needs in managing chronic pain.

Wrapping Up

What next if facet joint injections don’t work?
Not all find relief from chronic back or neck pain with facet joint injections. Perhaps your relief isn’t as substantial as you hoped, and its time­ to explore other paths.
Could you revise your diagnosis? What about considering other treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation or physical therapy? Talk with your health professional to build a total plan for managing pain. Remember, chronic pain management usually needs a mix of treatments and lifestyle adjustments. With the right strategy, pain relief and a higher-quality life can be­ yours.

FAQs

Why might facet joint injections fail to relieve my pain?

Several factors could cause facet joint injections to fail. It might be an incorrect diagnosis, the body’s tolerance to medicine, or your condition might be­ too severe.

What should I do if my facet joint injections don’t work?

If the injections fail, don’t panic. Your doctor has more options. They might sugge­st treatments like radiofre­quency ablation, physical therapy, medications, or othe­rs.

What is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to destroy the nerve fibers transmitting pain from the facet joints. Compared to injections, this offers longer-lasting relief.

Can physical therapy help if facet joint injections fail?

Yes, Physical therapy strengthe­ns muscles, improves posture, and eases stress on the face­t joints. This can lead to pain relief e­ven when injections fail.

Are there medications that can help with facet joint pain?

Yes, the­re are! Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and prescription painkillers are available. Always discuss your options with your healthcare provider.