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What Are Facet Joint Injections
Facet joints are the only synovial joints in the spine and can be involved in many pathological processes, including arthropathy, infection, inflammation, trauma, and tumors. Dr. Brett Warfield is a respected anesthesiologist who performs facet joint injections in Houston to treat pain and swelling from sciatica, spondylolisthesis, spinal osteoarthritis, whiplash, sports injury, and facet joint syndrome.
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The injection uses a local anesthetic and steroid medication to block the pain caused by inflamed facet joints. Patients often experience immediate pain relief after an injection allows them to resume activities that would have otherwise been too painful.
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If you want to learn more about how Facet Joint Injections work, use the resources below to keep reading. If you want to speak to our pain management specialists, call our office at (346) 888-5237.
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Facet Injections Overview For Houston Patients
Your spine or back comprises moveable vertebrae, all connected to each other. These vertebrae contain joints that allow for safe motion. These spinal joints are called Facet Joints. Each facet joint operates as a hinge, allowing for flexibility in the spine that allows you to bend and twist. Facet joints are also surrounded by connective tissue and cartilage, allowing movement to be fluid. Healthy facet joints move (articulate) back and forth, protecting the spine against being overextended or injured.
If the Facet Joint becomes swollen from injury or inflammation, it can cause severe back pain through the spinal column and the body. For example, if there is swelling in a facet joint in the neck, the individual may suffer from painful headaches and feel restricted in their head movements. Facet Joint inflammation in the back may cause lower back pain or pain in the buttocks and thighs. Common symptoms of Facet Joint pain include:
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Swelling in the facet joints
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Difficulty turning your neck.
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Stiffness in the spine or neck
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Hunched over walking.
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Difficulty standing
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Depending on the specific facet joint that is affected will determine the type of symptoms you may experience. If Facet Joints become too enlarged or inflamed, they may block the nerve roots that flow from the joints, causing a “pinched nerve” effect. It is critical for anyone potentially suffering from Facet Joint pain to be evaluated by a pain management specialist in Houston.
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At Texas Intergrative Pain Institute, we will be able to accurately determine the source of your pain and develop an effective treatment plan. One successful treatment approach may include Facet Joint Injections. At TIPI, we perform Facet joint injections painlessly. We use a numbing medication to take the sting out of the shot and make treatment more comfortable for the patient. Treatment does not take long; you can expect improvement within one to two days, but it may take a day or two for the medication to take full effect.
There is no set limit to the number of facet joint injections a Houston patient can have to alleviate their pain and inflammation. As part of our comprehensive treatment program, injections can be performed as often as necessary to manage your pain, reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and get you back in the game. Dr. Warfield will instruct you on how often to visit our office in Houston for facet joint injections.
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Candidates For Facet Joint Injections
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Patients with the following disorders, injuries, diseases may be candidates for Facet Joint Injections:
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Spinal arthritis
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Back pain due to injury or mechanical stress
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Cervical facet joint pain in the head, neck, arms or shoulders
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Thoracic facet joint pain in the chest, upper back and, rarely, the arms
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Lumbar facet joint pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks or legs
ABOUT US
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Dr. Brett Warfield is board-certified in anesthesiologist and interventional pain management. He has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. He is committed to alleviating your pain and restoring your well-being faster & without surgery. Contact TIPI Pain Management in Houston to schedule your consultation today.
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Facet Joint Injections are often used as an alternative to or in combination with the following treatments.
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Are Facet Joint Injections Risky?
Facet Joint Injections are a minimally invasive treatment for pain symptoms coming from the facet joints. The injection is a solution composed of local anesthetic and steroid medication. Facet joint injection can help diagnose the cause and location of pain while relieving the pain symptoms. The anesthetic from the injection can provide immediate relief to the facet joint, blocking pain. And steroids allow patients to mitigate their pain symptoms to allow them to participate in activities such as physical therapy.
These injections have minimal risk. Immediately after receiving a facet joint injection at our Houston office, a patient may also experience a temporary increase in pain before the anesthetic is experienced. We advise you to avoid overexerting yourself and injuring the injection site. You will also be asked not to sit in water (pool or tub) for 48 hours after the injection to prevent infection. Patients can use an ice pack applied to the area to alleviate any discomfort
Facet Joint Injections For Houston Patients
Texas Intergrative Pain Institute offers progressive injection treatments and therapeutic approaches. Our experienced and skilled medical professionals can help establish effective injection treatments to help reduce your pain symptoms to improve the quality of your life. Our pain management clinic in Houston is easily accessibly to patients located in The Woodlands, Baytown, and Sugar Land seeking a diagnosis or treatment for facet joint injections. Call the offices of Dr. Brett Warfield at (346) 888-5237 to schedule your appointment today and learn more about facet block injections in Houston.
Interventional Pain Management
Arthritis Pain
Chronic Pain
Inflammatory Pain
Radicular Pain
Sports Medicine
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