Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?

My experience was hit and miss with ifacet injections. Sometimes things went well, others not. And 3-5 day wait isn’t unheard of I caution you not to get carried away and paint the house if it does provide relief, pain cycles need management on both ends of the spectrum. I would take advantage of a relief cycle to stretch your hamstrings, strengthen your core. I know it sounds counterintuitive but movement will actually help long term management

what u mean it hurt like hell? you stayed awake and felt something or after the fact?

I HAVE TO REPLY TO THIS .....I HAD 4 FACET JOINT INJECTIONS ON MY LOWER BACK ....COMPARED TO AN EPIDURAL SHOT YES THESE INJECTIONS ARE PAINFUL...HAD 2 ON RIGHT SIDE AND 2 ON LEFT SIDE ......BUT PLEASE LET ME CLARIFY SOMETHING BEFORE I GO ON ......THIS WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC DR ....IM 55 AND HAVE HAD BACK PROBLEMS SINCE I WAS 16.......I WENT TO CHIROPRACTOR.....HAD MY VISITS WITH MY DR ...GAVE ME A SHOT TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE PAIN.........I HAD ALOT OF PAIN WHEN I WAS YOUNGER .....BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO NOW. APRIL 2017 FRACTURED L1 VETERBRAE .....HAD CHRONIC PAIN SINCE THEN ......WHEN THIS DOCTOR GAVE ME MY 3RD FACET JOINT INJECTION ...BUT HE HIT A NERVE THAT HAS CAUSED WORSE PAIN TO MY SCIATIC NERVE ...NOW I FEEL LIKE I GET ELECTRIC SHOCKS IN MY LEG THAT ARE VERY PAINFUL .....ITS BEN 7 MOS SINCE I RECIEVED THOSE INJECTIONS ...AND YES I DID AGREE TO THEM BECAUSE HAD BEEN IN SO MUCH PAIN I WAS WILLING TO TRY AMYTHING AT THAT POINT FOR SOME KIND OF PAIN RELIEF ..I SEEN THIS ORTHO DR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND STILL CLAIMS I MUST HAVE HAD BAD REACTION TO STEROID MEDICINE..........I KNOW WHAT I FELT WHEN HE HIT A NERVE.....I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH BEFORE I AGREED TO HAVING FACT INJECTIONS.......IM NOT SAYING ALL DOCTORS ARE BAD BUT THIS ONE WAS......I FELT LIKE I HAD TO BE ASKING HIM TO DO THINGS TO HELP ME WITH MY PAIN .....PLEASE FIRST DO ALOT OF RESEARCH BEFORE HAVING PROCEDURE DONE .....I HOPE ANYBODY WHO READS THIS DOES THEIR HOMEWORK. AND PRAY YOU HAVE A GOOD DR AND COMPASSIONATE TO YOUR NEEDS.....AFTER A YR AND A FEW MONTHS FINALLY FEEL LIKE SOMEONE IS LISTENING. AND UNDERSTANDING WITH WHAT IM DEALING WITH .....I ALSO NEED TO SEE NUEROSURGEON ....BEEN DOING MY HOMEWORK ....BUT IM SO THANKFUL .FOR MY P.A. BEEN SO HELPFUL ...TO ..HELPING ON THE ROAD TO SOME RECOVERY MAYBE I WILL ALWAYS HAVE CHRONIC PAIN BUT I ALSO KNOW ITS GOING TO BE BERABLE.......I PRAY YOU ALL HAVE WONDER DRS.....THANK FOR READING THIS AND I HOPE IVE BEEN SOME HELP TO SOMEONE OUT THERE

@isabelr , thank you for sharing! Your story is incredibly moving to me. I have had back issues as far back as a teenager. I was young and thought I was Wonder Woman, I guess. Lifted things way too heavy for me to lift. Did work by myself that should have been done by two.

I commend you for doing your research. What works for one doesn't always work the same way when it comes our turn. Everyone told me "Get an epidural!"

Well, I got one. It helped. For about 24 hours. Everyone said "Take Cymbalta!" I did. It worked for a very long time. But now it appears that I have been taking it all this time when it is contraindicated with at least two of my meds. Who knew that?

Even with the best doctors, pharmacists, physical therapists, and other medical practitioners, mistakes are made. We simply must be advocates for our own selves, and do the research. Thank you for so beautifully pointing this out! Please don't be a stranger! Do you have that particular phrase where you are located? Here in the South, it's a backhanded way of saying "You are welcome here!" Adios!

I have had many injections over the past 15 years. The results have been varied. I do know that proper spine alignment and exercise designed by Physical Therapists really makes a big difference also.

I had facet joint injections 2 years ago and it help somewhat. The pain is starting to come back, still deciding if I want to do the injections again. Like my doctor stated every patient respond to injections differently. Wish you luck with your injections. Stay strong. One day at a time.

I am scheduled for RF ablation facet joint injection in lumbar spine this week around noon time. Planning on working the next day. How is recovery after injection? Can I work the next day? After the first two test shots, I was okay.

Hi
I am in constant pain due to an injury caused by a physiotherapist who angulated my tailbone, reinjured my facet joints and caused two bulging discs in the lumbar region. I would do anything to be able to sit without constant pain in my back and tailbone. I am not on any narcotic medication but take antidepressant since I was unable to sleep because of the pain. What aggravates me the most is that the doctors here are unable to help me they think that I just need to do physiotherapy and exercise and I will be out of pain. I have tried almost everything , I was getting better then I reinjured myself in July . I would like to see if RFA would be the best option for at least one area that is in pain. I take naproxen and baclofen for pain management.

@linda66 have you gone to a neurosurgeon?He might be able to help

@icopro59
Good Morning
I hope I am not too late to respond.
RF ablation is more than just a shot.
RF ablation is when the nerve(s) giving you a problem are cauterized.
The idea is if the nerve endings are killed off (temporarily), your pain will lessen.
Since the procedure is geared in one place, not all of the nerves involved (in the pain) will be done.
This is a temporary stop gap that can last 6 months depending on how long it takes for the nerves to regenerate.
Your doctor should have done 1 to 2 test injections (under a florascope) to see if he/she could find the nerves involed.
A shot is given. If the spot is found, you should get relief for 2 to 4 hours. The shot area is recorded by the florascope so the doc knows where to do the ablation.
Each person is different but in my experience I was able to go about my business the next day.
However, plan to stay home after the procedure. You might recieve a mild sedative and you might be a little sore requiring icing.
Regardless, you should have someone go with you and have him/het drive.
BTW...in my experience, this procedure is uncomfortable. If you sre offered a sedative i advise you to take it. I've been taking all sorts of spinal injections and I have NEVER taken a sedative. My doctor insissted for this (not the test but actual procedure). I am glad he did.
I hope I haven't scared you out of this. If it works, it is worth it!
Good luck !!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)