If you’re one of the many people who have tried facet joint injections and they haven’t worked, you may be wondering what your next step should be. There are a few different options available to you, depending on your situation. In this blog post, we will discuss the next steps available to you after facet joint injections fail and help you decide which is the best for you.
Why Might Facet Joint Injections Fail?
There are a few reasons why facet joint injections might not work for you. The most common reason is that the injection doesn’t reach the correct spot. This can happen if the bones around the joint are too dense or if there is too much inflammation around the joint.
What Are Your Options?
If your facet joint injections didn’t work, your next step will depend on what caused them to fail. If it’s because the injection didn’t reach the right spot, you may be able to try another type of injection. If it’s because of inflammation, you may need to take medications to reduce inflammation before trying another type of injection.
Alternatives to Facet Joint Injections
There are a few different alternative treatments available to you if facet joint injections haven’t worked. These include:
BOTOX: BOTOX is a type of medication that can be injected directly into the muscles around the spine. It helps to relax these muscles and reduces inflammation.
Radiofrequency neurotomy: Radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure that uses heat to destroy nerve fibers around the facet joints. This procedure can help reduce pain and improve function.
Spinal cord stimulation: Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that sends an electrical current through the spinal cord to help block pain signals.
Spinal blocks: Spinal blocks are a type of anesthesia that is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord. This numbs the area and helps to reduce pain, functioning like a facet block in Chicago.
Which Option Is Best for Me?
The best option for you will depend on your individual situation. You may want to try different treatments until you find one that works best for you. If you’re not sure which treatment is right for you, speak with our team of pain specialists in Chicago at the Pain and Spine Institute.