

Facet Injections
What are Diagnostic Injections for Chronic Pain?
Diagnostic injections play a vital role in pain management. These injections deliver an anesthetic or numbing medication to specific pain-sensitive structures such as nerves or joints. The main aim of diagnostic injections is to assist pain specialists in accurately identifying the source of the pain and provide insights into the most effective treatment options.
What are Facet Injections?
Facet joint injections are a specific type of diagnostic injection used to determine if the facet joints in the spine are the source of a patient's pain. The facet joints are small, synovial joints located in pairs on either side of the spine. They play a crucial role in supporting the spine's stability and facilitating movement. However, due to various factors such as aging, injury, or degeneration, the facet joints can become painful and contribute to chronic pain conditions.

Why Are Diagnostic Injections Important?
Chronic pain can be a complicated issue, and determining the source of the pain is not always easy through traditional medical imaging or clinical examinations. Diagnostic injections are crucial in helping pain specialists identify the specific structures causing the pain. This information enables them to create a more accurate and effective treatment plan, eliminating unnecessary treatments and reducing the risk of ineffective interventions.
What Happens During a Facet Injection?
During a facet joint injection procedure, a pain specialist will use a specialized X-ray called fluoroscopy to guide the needle to the exact location of the facet joint. Once the needle is in the correct position, the specialist will inject a local anesthetic into the joint. This will numb the area and provide temporary pain relief. When the injection successfully reduces or eliminates the patient's pain, it indicates that the facet joint is the likely source of the pain. This information is critical in determining the most effective targeted treatments for the patient.
Advantages of Diagnostic Injections:
Accurate Diagnosis: Diagnostic injections provide a clear and accurate diagnosis of the source of pain.
Guided Treatment: The information from diagnostic injections guides the pain management approach, ensuring targeted relief.
Minimally Invasive: Most diagnostic injections are minimally invasive, performed as outpatient procedures.
Immediate Feedback: Patients often experience immediate feedback on the effectiveness of the injection in pinpointing the pain source.
Guided Treatment: The information from diagnostic injections guides the pain management approach, ensuring targeted relief.
Minimally Invasive: Most diagnostic injections are minimally invasive, performed as outpatient procedures.
Immediate Feedback: Patients often experience immediate feedback on the effectiveness of the injection in pinpointing the pain source.

Conditions Diagnosed with Diagnostic Injections:
Diagnostic injections, including facet joint injections, can help diagnose a range of chronic pain conditions, such as:
Facet Joint Pain: Pain originating from the facet joints in the spine.
Radiculopathy: Nerve root pain caused by compression or irritation.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Pain in the sacroiliac joint, located at the base of the spine.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Pain originating from trigger points in muscle tissue.
Herniated Disc: Pain caused by the protrusion of a spinal disc.
Facet Joint Pain: Pain originating from the facet joints in the spine.
Radiculopathy: Nerve root pain caused by compression or irritation.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Pain in the sacroiliac joint, located at the base of the spine.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Pain originating from trigger points in muscle tissue.
Herniated Disc: Pain caused by the protrusion of a spinal disc.
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can be difficult to manage. Fortunately, facet joint injections can provide significant relief. At Pain Solutions, Dr. Nairn uses diagnostic injections to pinpoint the source of your pain. Based on the results, he creates personalized treatment plans that effectively relieve pain. We understand how challenging it can be to live with chronic pain, so we are here to support you through the diagnostic process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards targeted pain relief.

