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Facet Joint Injections

The spine contains small joints between each vertebra that allow the spine to bend and move. These are called facet joints, which can be a source of pain and mobility issues within the spine. If there is inflammation in these joints from conditions such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease, it can result in localized pain and other symptoms. Facet joint injections containing medication can be used to relieve symptoms and for diagnostic purposes, which we offer at Allied Pain & Spine Institute in San Leandro, CA.

When the facet joints are impacted by inflammation, they may not perform as needed. Just like inflammation in knee, shoulder or elbow joints, these small spinal joints can become stiff and painful. Since there are facet joints every few inches within the spine, it can be difficult to know which joints are causing the pain and spine stiffness. Facet joint injections can help doctors pinpoint the joints affected and provide pain relief.

Facet Joint Pain Relief

Facet joint injections are usually a combination of corticosteroid and a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. The injections are used to reduce inflammation that causes nerve irritation and pain. Facet joint injections can also be used as a diagnostic tool to determine the exact facet joints that are causing neck or back pain.

To perform the facet joint injections, imaging is usually used that gives live video during the procedure. This ensures the needle is precisely placed within the desired joint in the spine while avoiding any damage to nerves and tissue surrounding the spine. The local anesthesia can provide almost immediate pain relief if the right facet joint is targeted. If there is still pain, different facet joints may be injected with anesthesia to find the source of neck or back pain. The steroid that is injected takes a few days to take effect and relieve inflammation in the targeted facet joints.

Facet joint injections are an effective pain relief and diagnostic tool we utilize at Allied Pain & Spine Institute. To learn more about our spinal injections and other pain management treatments, contact our medical center in San Leandro to schedule an appointment.

Our Patient Reviews

Allied Pain & Spine Institute

5.0

Michelle T.

I fly in to see Dr. Petros from Southern California. I wouldn't do so if he wasn't the best there is. He is compassionate and has always treated me kindly. I can tell he is sincere in the way he talks to me and is diligently looking for solutions that work best with me and my chronic pain needs. Very out of the box approach, which I appreciate these days! I would truly recommend Dr. Petros to anyone looking for a Dr. that not only cares about you as a patient but has the confidence and skill set to get results! His office staff is friendly and caring too. Allied Pain and Spine Institute is the Gold Standard in pain care in my humble opinion!! When I find a doctor that understands the issue and always goes above and beyond to help me, I do what I can to continue seeing them. I am so glad I found this office!!

Louise W.

Dr Petros is amazing! When he uses a needle his aim is "right on". He is also very personable, an altogether great guy. I always find my visits to him to be very informative. I have had both sides of my degenerated back injected (epidural shots) with complete success. He allows me to have no sedative, which is cool because his jokes and stories in the operating room are really good. He greatly enjoys his work, and enjoys the difficult challenges of getting a needle into the right place in my back. My arthritic knee is perhaps more straight-forward, but other doctors have failed to give me pain relief. Dr Petros studies the structure with ultrasound before injecting it. The result - instant relief! On my recent visit for a broken back (ski accident) the doctor and staff were very accommodating to help me make a dinner engagement shortly after my appointment. This is definitely a five-star operation!

Ellie O.

Wow, wonderful doctor!!! I avoid all the doctors like the plague...seriously it makes my blood pressure go up when I have to go but I chose Dr. Vaidya. My friend referred him to me, he's simply the best... TOP NOTCH!!! He turned out to be a breath of fresh air. Dr. Vaidya really stands out head and shoulders above everyone else. I usually don't write reviews but he's so outstanding that I really wanted to do it for him. He's the most honest and caring doctor I have met. He listens and gives you full attention and committed to find the best individual solution for you. He always goes out of his way to get you the most appropriate treatment and he will make it happen. He's very knowledgeable in his field. He's very professional, friendly, personable and definitely easy to talk to. His integrity is very valuable. He's one of the sharpest and most driven individuals you will ever meet.

Keith M.

Simply the best doctors and staff in the area. I've fought back and neck pain for over 30 years, and Dr. Petros and his team have kept me from the operating table and able to enjoy my life. I've had injections, acupuncture, as well as back braces. He listens to my concerns, cares very deeply for my pain and discomfort, and has successfully treated everything from stenosis, pinched nerves, herniated disks, and even helped me with the symptoms from shingles and lung disease. I couldn't be happier with the care he has given me over the years.

Kaitlin Z.

Dr. Vaidya has changed my life. I am in my late 20s with chronic pain and nothing had worked until I came here. All services here are wonderful and the staff is absolutely amazing. I can't recommend enough!!

Tracy B.

I have been a patient of Dr. Vaidya for a few years after not getting what I needed from other spine and pain doctors. I was looking for a doctor who would think outside the box and come up with some other ways to treat my growing amount of pain. Between Dr. Petros and Dr. Vaidya, they have brought me to a place where my pain is better managed. And let's just talk about bedside manners! I have never met doctors in the past 23 years of this back journey of mine that has as amazing bedside manners as these guys. I have cried and laughed with the team at Allied Spine. The way that I am always greeted and promptly cared for is bar none! The front office staff, and especially Nas, has been a God sent. I would never go anywhere else.

Justin P.

I am a new patient of DR Petros and my experience was great for my first two visits so far. He really takes time to listen to your issues and provides thorough answers and treatment options. The front desk staff are all very nice and respond in a timely manner to requests. Highly recommended all around!

Lisa A.

I have seen Dr. Vaidya for about 2 years. He is an amazing doctor.the attention and care you receive is well over 5 stars. He knows who I am by my face, he knows my health history with out looking in my chart, he remembers conversations we have had at previous appointments. He truly cares for his patients. I will be moving our of state, and will travel back here each month to see doctor Vaidya. I lost my insurance over a year ago and pay out of pocket to see the doctor, it is worth every penny to be treated with respect, as a person and with care. I love all the staff and feel like I am visiting family when I come in for my appointments.

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