Facet Joint Injections- Any Advice would be appreciated

twinney

Hello Everyone.
Have not posted for a while sorry, been having bad days with pain in my spine, has driven me crazy.
My consultant has now advised me to have injections done in the facet joins in the lumbar region of my spine.He says that it might ease the pain , but I am not too sure about this. He has also advised me to have Physiotherapy.
Has anyone had these injections and how did they go?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Lyn

skezier

Hi Lyn,

They are not too bad and they can work quite well. I have had a few in my lumber and all have done some good so I think its definitely worth trying them. Physio I didn't have so much success with but that was a very long time ago. To build up your back muscles is a very good idea but make sure you do them evenly otherwise they can complicate things by pulling you out of line. Good luck with it all and I hope what ever you chose will go well for you. Take care, Cris

twinney

Hello Cris.
Thanks for your help, its much appreciated. I will give the injections a go and hope for the best.
Regards
Lyn

elnafinn

Hi Lyn

i have had them in my neck (2) to help shoulder pain and they did for about 6 months.

Recently I had two injections under xray direction into my lower spine for sciatica. It was wonderful - no pain instantly. Then over the next few days just so fleeting, I could have imagined it, but did not. I was asked to keep a one sentence daily diary on events so I am.

Unfortunately I slipped down three steps on the stairs, bump, bump, bump and unless it is coincidence, I suddenly realised after three days that the pain had increased and that it was more than likely due to my "fall". Now it is not too good - sort of creeping back quite quickly to how it was......... I see consultant in September and will tell all :oops: and see what he says, but I am not sure what the outcome is going to be. If it was successful he had thoughts of a minor op for me but now ............... who knows?

I don't let it get me down too much. I am off to see my grand daughter now who is just over one year old and iron some shirts for my son, when she has her nap. I like to feel useful.

Luv
Elna x

twinney

Hello Elna
Thanks ever so much for your help. Lets hope that they do me some good too. I hope that you are doing better now after slipping down the stairs. I try to keep myself as busy and as positive as I can but like everyone else here those bad days appear.
Still I have to keep going as my daughter in law is expecting a baby next February and I need to be as healthy as I can for that, I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope all goes well with your appointment with the consultant, I look forward to your up date.
Take care
Regards
Lyn

evabuk

Hello Lyn,

I had facet joint injections done under Xray guidance by my spinal surgeon 3 weeks ago, for the relentless pain, and I'm sorry to say I haven't really felt that much benefit. (I'm still having to take MST tablets)

Mind you, people have said that it can take up to 6 weeks for them to kick iin. I did have a couple of days at the weekend when it was a bit better, but it didn't last - largely because I injured my foot and have been walking crooked ever since, which of course doesn't help your back.

I'm due to see a pain specialist tomorrow, so we'll see what he has to say about it all.

Nevertheless, everyone is different, and there have been a lot of people who have benefits from these injections, so it's probably worth a try...if he didn't think they might help, he wouldn't have suggested them.

let us know how you get on.

good luck!
eva

twinney

Hello Eva,
Many thanks for your help, I have had a few mis givings about getting them done, but as my o/h said, if I don't try I don't know.
I am waiting now for the appointment, will let you know how I get on.
Regards
Lyn

golfer

I had a steroid injection in the hip recently as it appeared that I had a trapped nerve with OA as well as other general pain. The jab had to be done under a general and the immediate results were great. Unfortunately the problems reappeared after about 5 weeks except the trapped nerve which is still ok today,and my surgeon and I have decided that it probably wont be worth repeating this as he would need to do it under a general anasthetic again - I would certainly recommend trying it though.

Chris

twinney

Thanks Chris for your help.
It seems as though these injections help some people but not others!
Have to try though .
Regards
Lyn

golfer

twinney wrote:

Thanks Chris for your help.
It seems as though these injections help some people but not others!
Have to try though .
Regards
Lyn

Spot on Lyn! The prognosis from my Consultant before the jab was - it could last a week, a month, a year, forever or not do anything at all - 5 weeks was not on his list LOL

Chris