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903A South Greeley Highway, Cheyenne, WY 82007 FACET JOINT BLOCKS or INJECTIONS — The interactions of the spinal discs and the facet joints give your back amazing strength and flexibility. There are two facet joints at each level of the spinal column and they are bathed in synovial fluid much like the knee and shoulder. The joints are also innervated by a system of nerves called medial branch nerves. The joint may become irritated, inflamed and painful by degenerative disc disease or arthritis. The space between the vertebral bodies becomes narrowed and the small joints injured resulting in neck or back pain. This back pain may be independent of intervertebral disc or spinal nerve pain. A facet block or injections is the placement of local anesthetic and/or long acting steroids into the joint area resulting in decreased pain, sometimes for a significant period of time. If the pain returns, facet blocks may be repeated as necessary or Dr. Ribnik may advise a diagnostic procedure such as a medial branch nerve block. Medial Branch Nerve Block The medial branch nerve (mentioned above) is a small sensory nerve to the joint which runs along both sides of the spinous process (backbone). If pain recur recurs after a facet block, the medial branch nerve can be identified and blocked with a local anesthetic to see if this is truly the source of your pain. If this block is effective in reducing or eliminating the pain you experience, Dr. Ribnik may recommend a radiofrequency for longer lasting pain relief. The medial branch nerve block contains a local anesthetic and is done as a diagnostic procedure only. Associated risks are infection, nerve damage, blood clots or allergic reaction. Sacroiliac Joint Injections. The sacroiliac joint is a large joint located in the lower back and buttock area, and may also become inflamed and painful. Pain may radiate into the immediate area or into the groin, abdomen or legs. Treatment for painful sacroiliac joint pain is generally the same as for the above mentioned facet joint, and is provided for diagnostic and therapeutic relief of pain. Risks are generally low and may include infection, nerve damage, or allergic reaction.
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