Lumbar Spine

• Return To Main Menu

Nerve Branch and Lower Back (Lumbar) Facet Joint Injection Treatment for Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Garner and the Triangle

If you suffer lower back pain as a result of arthritis, back injury, a chronically stiff back or other reasons, there is hope.

Spinal joint pain and inflammation originating from the nerves and joints of the lumbar spine (low back region) can often be eliminated or helped immensely by undergoing a procedure known as an epidural steroid lumbar facet joint injection. The lumbar facet joint injection is utilized to deliver medication to the identified area that will assist in reducing or eliminating pain caused by inflammation to the nerves and surrounding joints. This type of procedure can actually serve to be a diagnostic tool by helping to localize the source of the symptoms.

A nerve root and lumbar facet joint injection may not completely eliminate all symptoms be it immediately or permanently but can serve to significantly aid in pain reduction allowing increased comfort and function with activities of daily living. With increased mobility comes a goal of breaking up the pain cycle that has been established.

A lumbar facet joint injection is performed in the office using X-Ray equipment known as fluoroscopy. The procedure is done under sterile conditions and utilizes a local anesthetic.

It will be very important for you to follow your physicians instructions regarding modification of your current medication intake (if any) to minimize risks of the lumbar facet joint injection. For example, you should cease taking any type of blood thinning products such as aspirin, or Coumadin. You should also stop anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Aleve or any other prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. The best practice is to fully inform your treating physician of any and all medications you are currently taking and then follow instructions on temporary modification of these.

Approximately 60 minutes prior to the lumbar facet joint injection procedure, you will receive a small amount of sedative, such as Valium, unless it is determined not to be indicated for you personally.

You will also receive further instructions before the scheduled lumbar facet joint injection in what to wear, eating properly and also transportation recommendations.

For more information on how the lower back pain specialists at Cary Orthopaedics can help you, contact us today at 919-467-4992 for an appointment!

Cary Orthopaedics serves patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro, NC