- Post-Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Cervical Facet Joint)
- Post-Procedure: Intraarticular Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)
- Post-Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)
Post-Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Cervical Facet Joint)
POST-PROCEDURE CARE
- Observe the patient for at least 15 minutes but allow them to walk immediately.
- Instruct the patient to not drive home and avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours.
COMPLICATIONS
- Infection
- Local injection site pain
- Bleeding
- Nerve block/nerve damage
- Allergy to injection materials
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
A 2007 meta-analysis showed limited support for the efficacy of intraarticular cervical facet injections, moderate support for lumbar intraarticular facet joint injections, and moderate support for both cervical and lumbar medial branch block injections.
OUTCOMES AND EVIDENCE
- Carette et al: lumbar facet injections; 58% relief after anesthetic injection but only mild difference between corticosteroid and placebo groups
- Schulte et al: lumbar facet injections; 62% of patients reported significant relief at 1 month, 41% at 3 months, and 36% at 6 months
- Destouet et al: intraarticular injections; 54% with relief initially and 38% at 3 months
- Manchikanti et al: cervical medial branch block injections; 92% reported relief at 3 months, 56% at 12 months
- Manchikanti et al: lumbar medial branch blocks; 73% to 93% relief at 3, 6, and 12 months
- Esses and Moro: facet injections have no predictive value for benefit of surgery.
Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Cervical Facet Joint)
Post-Procedure: Intraarticular Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)
POST-PROCEDURE CARE
- Observe the patient for at least 15 minutes but allow them to walk immediately.
- Instruct the patient to not drive home and avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours.
COMPLICATIONS
- Infection
- Local injection site pain
- Bleeding
- Nerve block/nerve damage
- Allergy to injection materials
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
A 2007 meta-analysis showed limited support for the efficacy of intraarticular cervical facet injections, moderate support for lumbar intraarticular facet joint injections, and moderate support for both cervical and lumbar medial branch block injections.
OUTCOMES AND EVIDENCE
- Carette et al: lumbar facet injections; 58% relief after anesthetic injection but only mild difference between corticosteroid and placebo groups
- Schulte et al: lumbar facet injections; 62% of patients reported significant relief at 1 month, 41% at 3 months, and 36% at 6 months
- Destouet et al: intraarticular injections; 54% with relief initially and 38% at 3 months
- Manchikanti et al: cervical medial branch block injections; 92% reported relief at 3 months, 56% at 12 months
- Manchikanti et al: lumbar medial branch blocks; 73% to 93% relief at 3, 6, and 12 months
- Esses and Moro: facet injections have no predictive value for benefit of surgery.
Procedure: Intraarticular Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)
Post-Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)
POST-PROCEDURE CARE
- Observe the patient for at least 15 minutes but allow them to walk immediately.
- Instruct the patient to not drive home and avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours.
COMPLICATIONS
- Infection
- Local injection site pain
- Bleeding
- Nerve block/nerve damage
- Allergy to injection materials
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
A 2007 meta-analysis showed limited support for the efficacy of intraarticular cervical facet injections, moderate support for lumbar intraarticular facet joint injections, and moderate support for both cervical and lumbar medial branch block injections.
OUTCOMES AND EVIDENCE
- Carette et al: lumbar facet injections; 58% relief after anesthetic injection but only mild difference between corticosteroid and placebo groups
- Schulte et al: lumbar facet injections; 62% of patients reported significant relief at 1 month, 41% at 3 months, and 36% at 6 months
- Destouet et al: intraarticular injections; 54% with relief initially and 38% at 3 months
- Manchikanti et al: cervical medial branch block injections; 92% reported relief at 3 months, 56% at 12 months
- Manchikanti et al: lumbar medial branch blocks; 73% to 93% relief at 3, 6, and 12 months
- Esses and Moro: facet injections have no predictive value for benefit of surgery.
Procedure: Medial Branch Block Injection (Lumbar Facet Joint)