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Facet joint injections

A steroid injection to help treat the symptoms of back pain

Back pain can have a dramatic impact on our ability to work or enjoy ourselves.

A steroid injection can help treat relieve the symptoms of one major type of back pain: deterioration or other damage to the facet joints that link the bones in our back together.

Facet injections can help reduce inflammation and pain while allowing you to move more freely.

 

Why us

  • Fast access to treatment when you need it
  • Internationally and nationally renowned consultants
  • Clear, inclusive pricing
Typical Hospital Stay

Same day discharge

Type of anaesthetic

Local

Covered by health insurance?

Yes

Procedure duration

20 minutes

Available to self-pay?

Yes

When are facet joint injections needed?

Back pain and related symptoms can interfere with our lives while often attracting little sympathy.

Facet back pain gets worse if you sit for very long – something that causes particular problems for people with office jobs.

As well as being one of the main reasons people take time off work, back pain can prevent you:

  • taking part in exercise or sport
  • playing with your children and family
  • driving
  • using computers for work or leisure.

Facet pain is caused by deterioration or other damage to the facet joints that link together the bones in your back. Spondylolisthesis can also be a contributing factor in facet pain. The joint becomes inflamed and it is this inflammation that causes the pain. You are more likely to be affected if you are older but it can also affect young people. Some people sustain facet bone damage playing sport, for example.

Find a consultant at Sussex Premier Health

Mr Satish Ganesan

Consultant in Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery

Mr Guy Selmon

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Your initial consultation

You will have a formal consultation with your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests such as scans or blood tests are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

What to expect on the day of your procedure

We understand that having any medical procedure, can cause anxiety. Our caring clinical staff will be there to reassure you.

You’ll lie on your stomach for the injection and your consultant will clean your lower back with an antiseptic wipe. They will give you a local anaesthetic which numbs the lower back but does not cause drowsiness.

Your consultant will use live X-ray images enhanced by a contrast/dye injected into your back to identify the painful facet joint. They will then inject the medication.

Our medical staff may monitor you for a few minutes to make sure you’re fine to leave the hospital. Typically, the procedure will take 20 minutes.

Aftercare

You’ll be able to leave hospital within a few minutes of your procedure ending.

You should rest for the remainder of the day.

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still here when you need us.

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery you can call and speak to a member of the nursing team at any time, please call 01424 757459.

At Sussex Premier Health, your procedure will be performed by your consultant surgeon.

Interested in finding out more?

Speak to a member of our team

Phone01424 757400

Enquiry form

DD slash MM slash YYYY

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