Question 1

how many have had lumbar facet injections?

Accepted Answer

Was more common..: Less common today, since some studies cast doubt on serious benefitss.  In my experience they appeared to help.  However, their is no coding specific for facet blocks, so that doctors can bill. These are called cpt codes and facet injection was removed 1/1/11. Nonetheless, a common procedure, which if done properly will not hurt.

Question 2

whats bilateral lumbar facet injection?

Accepted Answer

Facet injections!: Although i used to give them, studies by deyo, et al, and others more recently, have shown little benefit over a systemic steroid injection.  The injection is delivered to the facet joint, the true synovial joints of the spine.  Facet joints problems are likely if you have pain with backward extension of your spine.  If you get a bilateral injection, arthritis is seen bilaterally on x-ray!

Question 3

what's the next step after a lumbar facet injection if it doesn't work?

Accepted Answer

Be careful: When you say it didn't work.  If you got short-term pain relief, it did work.  In that case, confirmatory facet blocks and/or medial branch blocks would be the next appropriate step.

Question 4

what are the side effects of having lumbar facet injections two weeks apart?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar facets: Many times the injections are done with deferent medications to rule out a placebo effect   There are no real side effects past infection unless a lot of steroid is used the the  side effects would be steroid related  possible increased blood sugar

Question 5

what is  lumbar facet arthropathy?

Accepted Answer

Joint degeneration: There is a pair on joints, one right, one left, to the side of the spinal canal (the channel for the nerves to and from the legs). They are behind the disk and vertebral bodies (biggest part of spinal bone). Arthropathy is degeneration, or wear & tear. It is sometimes called arthritis, but arthrosis is more accurate. It can be painful; it can also cause nerve pressure, that is leg pain.

Question 6

i am a distance runner training for a marathon. when bending yesterday, i began suffering acute lumbar facet syndrome. how long til i can run again?

Accepted Answer

Back to normal: First off, you need to get back to your normal state until you can résumé your activities (running). Otherwise, you will be prone to reinjury/recurrence of your symptoms.

Question 7

is the lumbar facet rhizotomy a risky thing to do?

Accepted Answer

FACET RHIZOTOMY: A lumbar facet rhizotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can, when successful, relieve back or neck pain caused by facet joints. Risky? 
All surgical procedures are risky, especially when done along the spinal nerves. Ask your doctor about the risks you are worried about. Best luck.

Question 8

where is a lumbar facet injection usually done? at a hospital?

Accepted Answer

Pain Dr's office: Injections into the facet joints of the spine are usually done in the pain dr's office or wherever he usually does injections.

Question 9

please explain simply what facet syndrome of lumbar spine means?

Accepted Answer

Pain in the low back: Spine vertebra look like a dense circle of bone with an Eiffel Tower sitting atop. Spinal cord lies between the legs of the tower, and discs sit over the body (dense circle of bone). towers touch at the bases at FACETS, joints, which glide with spine movements. As these become worn (arthritic) movement causes inflammation. Spinal nerves exit the cord behind the bodies.  All get irritated and pain.

Question 10

4 lumbar facet injection 4 weeks ago. no pain in this area prior. now have soreness in area of injection in center lower back,  is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Low back pain : Yes. Sometimes the injections can irritate the nerves, muscles and joints. Try moist heat and stretching the back in the morning. Apply ice to the back at night. A low profile back brace may help relieve the pain too. If the pain persists then see a neurosurgeon.

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Doctor answers about:

Lumbar facet loading

A member asked:

How many have had lumbar facet injections?

A member asked:

Whats bilateral lumbar facet injection?

A member asked:

What's the next step after a lumbar facet injection if it doesn't work?

A member asked:

What are the side effects of having lumbar facet injections two weeks apart?

A member asked:

What is lumbar facet arthropathy?

A member asked:

I am a distance runner training for a marathon. when bending yesterday, i began suffering acute lumbar facet syndrome. how long til i can run again?

A member asked:

Is the lumbar facet rhizotomy a risky thing to do?

A member asked:

Where is a lumbar facet injection usually done? at a hospital?

A member asked:

Please explain simply what facet syndrome of lumbar spine means?

A member asked:

4 lumbar facet injection 4 weeks ago. no pain in this area prior. now have soreness in area of injection in center lower back, is this normal?

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