Facet Block

Facet Joint Blocks :-

You have been offered a procedure called a facet joint block. A facet joint is a joint on either side of your spine which links each adjacent vertebrae (the bones in your back) to each other. These joints are similar to your knee and hip joints and they can also be involved in the arthritic process.

The procedure being suggested is to try and reduce the inflammation and irritation in these joints.

The decision to inject these joints is being made because you had pain on pressing over the joint itself and bending backwards seemed to increase your pain.

The Procedure Itself

The facet joint blocks are done as a day case procedure in the Day Case Unit on the ground floor. You will come in the morning and be able to go home later that day in most cases. During the procedure you will lie on your tummy. Under x-ray control and using local anaesthetic we will guide a needle to the facet joint. We then inject the joint with a combination of local anaesthetic and steroid to try and reduce the inflammation in the joint. The procedure takes about 20 minutes to perform and does cause some discomfort, but this should be controlled during the procedure

Risks Of The Procedure

This is usually quite a safe procedure to perform.  Occasionally some of the local anaesthetic can trickle down to involve the nerves supplying your legs and your legs may feel slightly heavy for a while, but this wears off once the local anaesthetic effect settles.