The facet joints in your spine provide stability and guide motion. If you happen to suffer from arthritis or a spine injury, your doctor may recommend a cervical or thoracic facet injection to alleviate pain. Listed here are a couple of things to expect while you undergo this procedure.
Cervical and Thoracic Joints Cause Different Pain
Cervical joints are on the neck and sides of the pinnacle, while thoracic joints are within the upper back.
- Cervical facet joints cause pain in the pinnacle, neck, shoulders or arms.
- Thoracic facet joints cause pain within the upper back and chest.
An anesthetic can be injected before the medication. Your doctor will inject a numbing anesthetic before injecting a steroid into your spine.
The Amount of Pain Relief Can Diagnose the Problem
If you happen to experience immediate pain relief when the anesthetic is injected, the facet joint is almost definitely the source of pain.
Pain May Briefly Increase After the Procedure
You might notice a slight increase in pain because the anesthetic wears off and before the steroid has fully taken effect.
Cervical and thoracic joint injections are easy procedures and are frequently performed in a procedure office or outpatient surgical center. To learn more about cervical or thoracic injections, contact Specialists in Pain Management at 423-698-0850.
