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Wed, 10/07/2009 - 09:22
Facet Joint Injections
Hello,
I had my second Facet joint injection yesterday to determine if I am a candidate for the radiofrequency procedure. The first injection seemed to help with the nerve pain and back pain at least for a couple of days. I wasn't totally pain free but the pain level had decreased.
The injection yesterday hurt more than the first one and today I am experiencing more back pain than usual and nerve pain in one leg (verses both).
Is this normal? I am concerned that maybe the facet joint isn't the source of the pain now.
Has anyone had this type of experience with the diagnostic injections?
Thanks for any input!
had the facet joint injections before having a rhizotomy. I think that they can cause more and different pain at first. If you got more relief from the other side being injected, that may be the side that they do an initial RF Ablation on. If in doubt you may want to contact your doc to be sure. Good luck and hang in there.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
I'm getting my first injection this coming week. In researching it, every article I've read about the injections says that you may experience increased pain after. Here's a link to an article found here on S-H under the Treatment tab.
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/facet-joint-injection-r...
Kelly
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Anterior Foraminotomy in April 09 for:
stenosis C4/C5, protruding disc at C5/C6 with osteophyte complex, herniated disc at C6/C7
OA in neck, hip, knees
PTSD and Anxiety Disorder
**A Proud Canadian Soldier**
BUT NOT A DOCTOR!!! My thoughts are just that... my thoughts based solely on my experiences, so take them for what they're worth (and sometimes they may not be worth much)
having my first facet injection on the 24th. Ive had several other injections in other areas but my new Dr said this may be just what I need. Im a little nervous as I am going to Disney World on Dec 1st and yall are saying you had increased pain. Im wondering if I should go thru with it, or at least wait until I return.
Mommy of 2 ( 4yrs & 5yr old) DDD 3 herniated disks L-3-4&5 stenosis also 4 herniated disks in thoracic, and 1 in cervical.
synovial cysts... and so on Have tried Physical Therapy, Epi Injections,Radio Feq, Denied surgery 3 times Current meds: oxycontin 40mg, topamax 50mg, Lexapro, Lunesta, klonopin
but neither does any other injections. For some reason all injections I have tried, with different doctors, have made me worse (somehow aggravated the nerves?). I don't wish to scare you, but the facet joint injections that I had made me unable to walk at all for a week. I could not even stand up at all and had to crawl or hall my self to the bath room. Then again nobody really seems to know what exactly is going on with my back. I have had problems with pain, walking and standing for 15 years, and not enough is seen on the MRIs. The EMGs show an ongoing nerve inflammation, but nobody seems to know what causes it. I am not telling you what to do, but my advise is to wait with the injection until you come back from Disneyland, if you are at all able to walk good enough right now.
Have a wonderful time at Disneyland!!
Hi Dmeade,
I just typed a reply but I don't see it on here. Not sure what I did wrong or where it went, so I will try again. Hopefully I am not repeating....
I noticed that your post was made on 10/7. I am going in today for my second set of Facet Joint injections today. I too had some relief from the first set. (Not in the legs but I knew that would be the case going in.) Ok, truthfully when the anesthetic wore off the pain in the back returned with a vengence. It eventually settled down and I received some back pain relief for about a week. (Maybe about 30%) I did notice that the sharp pains I was feeling in my back actually increased though. Anyway, Aftr the first set my pain mgt doc felt I was in the "gray area" for determining if I was a candidate for the radio frequency procedure. He wanted to do a second set before he would decide. I was curious what the outcome was for you. I realize everyone is different but am curious how it went for you. I too, am questioning if the facet joints are the main cause of my back pain and do not want to do another procedure if it is not necessary. So sick of all these neddles!
Thanks
"...if we weren't all crazy, we would go insane."
Frog