Facet Injection

A facet injection (also known as a nerve block) is like an epidural injection, however the anaesthetic or anti-inflammatory injection is targeted toward a certain nerve or group of nerves to treat pain.
It temporarily shut downs pains signals (usually between 1-2 weeks) and is often accompanied by an x-ray or CT scan to pinpoint the exact location for treatment.

Preparation

For all therapeutic injections it is important that patients do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the procedure.
It is recommended that patients wear loose comfortable clothing (without zippers, buttons, jewellery or metallic accessories)
Patients should arrive 10-15 minutes before the appointment to complete paperwork.
It is important to bring the referral form.
Patients should notify the Lakes Radiology team of any allergies, existing medications they have.
Patients should advise the Lakes Radiology team if they may be pregnant.
The patient should have someone to drive them home following the procedure.

A cannula will be placed into the patient arm by the technologist or interventional doctor.
The patient will be placed on their stomach or side.
A technician / radiologist will identify the injection position and sterilise the skin with antiseptic
A technician / radiologist will inject a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
The exact position to locate the area may require imaging guidance.
The technician/doctor will then carefully administer the epidural injection.
When the study is finished, the patient will be moved to a chair and monitored for up to an hour to ensure they do not experience any abnormal reactions or side effects.

The patient may experience an infection at the injection site, bleeding, and inadvertent delivery of medication into the blood stream or other nerves.
If an x-ray / CT scan is used, the patient will be exposed to minimal low-level radiation.