Hi All
Has anyone had any experience with facet blocks?
Not so keen to go through this procedure although need to consider this as an option to cope with crippling back pain.
Hi Subi,
Have the doctors given you any treatment for the cause of the facet pain? Injections seem to be very rare on the NHS nowadays, I was refused as they said the relief was only shortlived and not the answer.
Thanks for your reply Cascara.
They think it's due to muscle spasm and gave 2 reasons for this. I have had two discectomy operations at L4/5 and this has impacted the facet joints because there is less disc cushioning (hope that makes sense, I'm probably not describing it very well). Don't get me wrong, I was pleased I had both ops done and they were successful in resolving leg pain. Second reason given is because I am very tall, now that's going to be harder to do something about!
Suggested approaches to me are, in order of what I try:
orphenadrine citrate (meds)
Facet injection, can provide pain relief but also diagnostic tool
radiofrequency neurotomy
That explains it then 🙂 I am tall too and the docs said that and high heels were to blame, what rot! You are lucky they have not offered a fusion as that seems to be the go to op these days, cut out the discectomy and straight to fusion 🙁
The pain from facets is awful, mine grind and grate, position helps a lot for me but one can't spend the day lying flat all the time. All I can really suggest is research everything!
Yes I was worried they were going to suggest fusion as well.
The dr told me to do my research too. I guess though you won't know till you try for yourself, everyone is different, but it would be a big let down if it didn't do anything, although then there's the diagnostic value I suppose.
A couple of my fave sites are these, they are really interesting
[DLMURL] http://www.chirogeek.com/Home [/DLMURL] Page/index-old.htm
http://www.spinal-foundation.org/
Thank Cascara