Epidural & Facet Joint Injections Delray Beach
Targeted Injections for Powerful Pain Relief
Back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal problems among U.S. adults. It can have a broad range of causes, and it can affect virtually anyone. How can you find powerful pain relief that lets you get back to living your life? There is no one-size-fits-all solution for back pain. Fortunately, though, our expert non-surgical orthopedic team in Delray Beach offers several treatments that have the potential to help. After a thorough examination, we might recommend that you receive epidural injections or facet joint injections.
What Are Epidural Injections?
An epidural injection may also be called an epidural steroid injection or ESI. During this treatment, we carefully deliver a corticosteroid medication into the epidural space, which is just outside the dura (the protective membrane around the spinal cord). The medications we use have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, so they can greatly reduce the pain of irritated, compressed, and inflamed nerves. (It is important to note that an ESI cannot actually “unpinch” a compressed nerve, but it can be used for pain relief.)
Beyond being a suitable pain management technique for pinched nerves, epidural steroid injections may also be used in certain cases to reduce the discomfort of issues like herniated discs, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.
How long the results of your ESI last will depend on your unique body. Some patients experience relief that lasts for weeks or months. Others enjoy longer benefits that stretch for up to a full year.
What Are Facet Joint Injections?
Your facet joints are the small joints throughout your spine that allow for movement. Nerve roots travel through these joints, meaning that they can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort when the surrounding tissues are inflamed or damaged.
To help you break free of that pain, we might suggest that you receive facet joint injections in our Delray Beach office. During this treatment, we administer local anesthetic into the joints. This is a common way to address the pain of arthritis and facet joint syndrome.
Many patients find that the results of their facet joint injections last for a few weeks to several months; some patients enjoy relief that lasts even longer.
Which Type of Injection Is Right for Me?
ESIs and facet joint injections can both help with back pain, but they are used in different situations. The one that is best for you will depend on the cause of your pain. Our team will have to examine you before we recommend any sort of treatment.
Basically, if your pain is related to your facet joints, facet joint injections may be best for you. ESIs are more suited to other conditions, such as nerve compression or inflammation. If your back pain is particularly complex, you might be a candidate for both types of injections.
A few simple injections may help you find freedom from back pain! Contact our Delray Beach team today to learn more or to request a consultation.
Epidural & Facet Joint Injections FAQs
How Often Can I Receive Epidural or Facet Joint Injections?
Many patients require multiple epidural or facet joint injections in our Delray Beach office before they experience sustained pain relief. However, everyone responds differently to treatment. Some patients experience lasting results after just one injection, while others need to revisit us multiple times. The number and frequency of injections will depend on both the underlying cause of your pain and your body’s natural response to the therapy.
If you notice that the results of your treatment are starting to wear off, get in touch with our team. After a thorough evaluation, we will determine if additional injections are appropriate, or if you might need to start exploring other pain management strategies.
When Will I Start to Notice Results after My Injections?
We typically use local anesthesia during the injection process, which can provide short-term pain relief. As it wears off, you are likely to notice a temporary increase in discomfort before the effects of your treatment become fully noticeable.
For both facet joint injections and epidural steroid injections (ESIs), many patients find that their treatment starts working within several days to a week of their appointment. If you have not noticed any improvements within 10 days, it could indicate that you should look into alternative pain relief options.
How Much Do Injections for Back Pain Cost?
Our team will be happy to provide a cost estimate during your consultation. Many patients find that their treatment is affordable, especially since a lot of insurance companies provide coverage for both ESIs and facet joint injections. Our team welcomes insurance, and we will be happy to help you navigate your coverage as well as procure any necessary preauthorization.
If you intend to pay out-of-pocket for our services, let us know. We will do all we reasonably can to help you afford the care you need.
What Should I Do After I Receive ESI or Facet Joint Injections?
Our team will provide detailed posttreatment instructions when you visit us. In the meantime, here is a general overview of best practices after these injections:
- Make sure you get enough rest. Take it easy for at least one or two days following your injection, and avoid any strenuous activities or exercise that could increase your risk of injury.
- If you notice any discomfort or swelling at the injection site, you may apply ice to the area to help reduce these symptoms.
- You should wait before showering. It is generally recommended to keep the bandage over the injection site for a minimum of 24 hours. After this time, you may remove the bandage and return to your normal hygiene routine.
- If you plan to swim or take a bath, wait at least 48 hours after your injection. This precaution helps support proper healing and decreases the risk of infection.
- Consider keeping a pain journal so you can track how your body responds to the treatment.
Can Facet Joint Injections and Epidural Steroid Injections Be Combined with Other Therapies?
Sometimes, ESIs and facet joint injections are used in combination to address complex back pain. Often, additional therapies are also incorporated into a treatment plan in order to optimize results. For example, you might need physical therapy, prescription medications, or certain lifestyle adjustments. We will tailor our recommendations to your unique situation.
