Epidural & Facet Joint Injections Fort Lauderdale
Strategic Back Pain Management
Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints among adults in the U.S. This issue can destroy your quality of life and make it nearly impossible to carry out basic tasks. What can you do to manage it? While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the team at the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics of Fort Lauderdale offers some strategic treatments that may bring relief, including epidural and facet joint injections.
What Are Epidural Injections?
An epidural steroid injection, also called an ESI, is a treatment wherein we carefully deliver a steroid medication into the space around the spinal nerves, which is known as the epidural space. The steroid has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it can reduce the agony of inflamed, irritated, and compressed nerves. (While an ESI does not actually “unpinch” a compressed nerve, it can still bring significant pain relief.)
In addition to treating pinched nerves, ESIs may also be a suitable way to reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs.
The duration of results from an ESI can vary from patient to patient. Some experience relief that lasts for a few weeks or months. Others notice results that last for up to an entire year.
What Are Facet Joint Injections?
Your facet joints are the small joints in your spine that allow it to move. Because nerve roots travel through the facet joints, they can cause great pain when the surrounding tissues are irritated, damaged, or inflamed.
To relieve that pain, we may recommend facet joint injections. We simply administer a local anesthetic into the joints. This can relieve the pain of arthritis and help to treat facet joint syndrome.
Generally speaking, the results of facet joint injections can last for a few weeks to several months, with some patients experiencing even longer-lasting pain relief.
Which Type of Injection Is Right for Me?
Epidural injections and facet joint injections can both be effective solutions for back pain, but they are not used interchangeably. The one that is best for you will depend on the nature and origin of your pain. We will need to examine you before we can recommend any specific treatment
Essentially, if we determine that your pain is related to your facet joints, we are likely to recommend facet joint injections. In contrast, an epidural injection may be more suited to other conditions, such as inflammation or compressed nerves. Some patients have complex back pain that could benefit from both types of injections.
Injections can be an effective way to reduce back pain! Get in touch with our Fort Lauderdale office today to learn more about your treatment options.
Epidural & Facet Joint Injections FAQs
How Often Can I Receive Epidural or Facet Joint Injections?
Epidural and facet joint injections can be repeated as necessary in order to provide ongoing pain relief. Some patients respond well after just one round of treatment and do not need additional injections. However, depending on the specific cause of your discomfort, you might need to visit us a few times a year.
You can call us when you notice that the results of your treatment are wearing off. Depending on your circumstances, we may advise you to come in for additional injections, or we may explore other pain relief methods.
When Will I Start to Notice Results after My Injections?
The local anesthesia used to administer the injections can provide temporary pain relief. As it wears off, there may be a brief return of pain before the treatment takes full effect.
For both ESI and facet joint injections, it is common for patients to notice a significant decrease in pain within a few days to a week. If you do not experience results within 10 days, it might be that the provided treatment was not effective. We may need to start trying other non-surgical pain relief techniques.
How Much Do Injections for Back Pain Cost?
We can discuss costs when you visit us for a back pain consultation.
Many health insurance plans cover both ESI and facet joint injections when they are considered medically necessary. Our team welcomes insurance, and we can assist you as you navigate your benefits.
If you plan on paying out-of-pocket, let us know. We will do all we can to work with you so you can afford the necessary treatment.
What Should I Do After I Receive ESI or Facet Joint Injections?
Our team will provide post-treatment care instructions. Generally speaking, you should:
- Get enough rest. Try to take it easy for a day or two. During this time, avoid strenuous activities or any form of exercise that carries a significant risk of injury.
- Apply ice if needed. This can reduce any pain or inflammation at your injection site.
- Wait to shower. Often, we recommend that patients leave the bandage on the injection site for at least 24 hours before they take a shower. Then, you can remove the bandage and go back to your normal hygiene routine. (Wait at least 48 hours before swimming or bathing.)
Can Facet Joint Injections and Epidural Steroid Injections Be Combined with Other Therapies?
ESI and facet joint injections are sometimes used together to treat complex forms of back pain. Both treatments can also be combined with other therapies to maximize pain relief and optimize function. For example, we might recommend that you attend physical therapy, take medications, and make lifestyle adjustments to manage your condition.
