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What is a facet joint?
Facet joints are located on the back of the spine on each side where one vertebra slightly overlaps the adjacent vertebra. They guide and restrict movement of the spine.
What is a sacroiliac joint?
A sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is a joint space between the spine and the pelvis.
What is a facet/SI joint injection?
A facet/SI injection is a therapeutic procedure done to relieve or eliminate pain.
How long can the pain be relieved?
In some patients, a single injection will give permanent relief. Many patients require multiple injections, up to three for maximum effectiveness. Some patients receive no relief of symptoms from the injection.
Why do facet/SI injections work?
There is an inflammatory component that can cause the pain in many patients with neck and back disorders. Steroids act by reducing the inflammation and subsequently easing the pain. In patients where the inflammatory process is not a major contributor to the source of pain, facet/SI joint injections have limited usefulness.
How you should prepare Do not eat solid foods for 3 hours prior to your exam. If you have an active infection and are taking antibiotics, the medication course must be complete prior to the procedure, to ensure that no infection remains. If you are taking blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid), you will have to stop the medication prior to the procedure. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping any medication to determine if it is safe for you. Wear comfortable clothes without metal fasteners, including zippers, buttons and snaps. Bring someone to drive you home. We recommend refraining from driving for the rest of the day. Arrive 15 minutes early to complete registration. Bring with you: Your appointment form; insurance information, including your insurance card; valid photo i.d. Please let us know about any of the following: Pregnancy, known or possible; allergies to medications, iodine or x-ray contrast; recent flu shot
Image-guided injections
Our injections are image guided, which means that imaging equipment called fluoroscopy (a type of low-dose x-ray) is used to clearly view the area in real time, on a video monitor. This ensures exact placement of the needle during the procedure.
How is the procedure done?
The procedure will take approximately 30 minutes. You will lie on an x-ray table on your stomach. The area to be injected will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Local anesthetic will be applied to numb the area.
A small needle will be placed into your facet/SI joint(s). The location of the needle will be confirmed by injecting a small amount of x-ray contrast. Some patients feel a slight pressure sensation or discomfort while the contrast is being injected. Next a combination of anesthetic (immediate relief) and steroid preparation (long-term relief) will be injected.
What are some of the side effects/complications of a facet/SI joint injection?
As with any procedure involving a needle, there is a small chance of infection or bleeding. Occasionally patients will describe pain at the injection site secondary to the needle placement.
How long does the test take?
The actual placement of the needle with injection of medication usually takes 5-15 minutes. If a patient has no immediate side effects, they are immediately discharged.
After the examination A summary of the procedure will be sent to your healthcare provider.
Unless directed otherwise, you may resume your normal diet, prescribed medications and activities, although rigorous activities should be withheld until the next day.
As the anesthetic that was injected wears off, your symptoms may return and may be worse for 1-2 days until the steroid takes effect. You may feel soreness at the needle insertion site for 2-3 days; you can use an ice pack to relieve any discomfort, up to 15 minutes per hour. Facet or Sacroiliac Injections are available at: Coon Rapids, Southdale and Maple Grove |
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