Targeted Facet Joint Therapy

Effective Spine Injections Near You in New Jersey

Facet joint syndrome is among the most common causes of middle back pain. When symptoms impact your quality of life, Kurdali Spine & Pain can help. We provide non-surgical treatments for back pain, including thoracic facet joint injections, at locations near you in New Jersey. Get in touch with Dr. Basil Kurdali today to learn more about how he can provide relief.

Key Takeaways

Thoracic facet joint injections treat middle back pain caused by facet joint syndrome, a collection of symptoms caused by conditions in the facet joints.
Symptoms of facet joint syndrome include aching pain that gets worse after heavy exercise or inactivity, stiffness, tenderness over the joint, or grinding sensations in the joint.
Causes of facet joint syndrome include poor posture, muscle strains, arthritis, acute injuries, repetitive use injuries, and spine deformities, such as scoliosis.
Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, offering same-day treatment for patients in New Jersey.

What Are Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Thoracic facet joint injections are a non-surgical treatment for facet joint pain. Facet joints are the pair of small joints that connect each pair of spinal bones, or vertebrae. They provide stability and guide movement within that segment of the spine. They also withstand large amounts of stress, making them susceptible to damage and other conditions that cause pain.

Injections treat facet joint pain by injecting corticosteroid medication directly into the affected joint. Dr. Basil Kurdali uses medical imaging guidance to ensure that the injection needle is positioned correctly, guaranteeing that all the medication goes where it is needed most. The steroid works by imitating cortisol, a naturally occurring hormone that tells the immune system to power down. This reduces the immune response around the facet joint, relieving inflammation.

What Symptoms Are Treated with Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Thoracic facet joint injections are the primary treatment for facet joint syndrome. This refers to a collection of symptoms caused by problems with the facet joint. These symptoms include:

Dull, aching pain in the middle back
Pain that radiates or shoots into the chest or arms
Pain that gets worse after heavy exercise or long periods of inactivity
Pain that gets worse when bending backward and better when bending forward
Tenderness when pressing the skin over the affected joint
Stiffness, especially after long periods of inactivity
A feeling of grinding or scraping in the joints
Burning, tingling, or numbness in the chest or arms

If only a single facet joint on one side of the spine is affected, the pain may be one-sided. If multiple facet joints on both sides of the spine are affected, the pain may be felt on both sides of the body (bilaterally).

What Conditions Are Treated with Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Because the facet joints are so flexible while bearing so much weight, they are vulnerable to multiple types of injury or condition. Facet joint syndrome has many potential causes. Correctly diagnosing the cause of the patient’s pain is key to providing an accurate diagnosis. Potential causes of facet joint pain include:

Poor Posture

Poor posture is the most common cause of joint pain in the spine. When a person regularly uses poor posture, they force the facet joints to support the spine at suboptimal angles. Over time, this creates undue stress on the facet joints, resulting in pain.

Muscle Strains

Muscle strains, also called pulled muscles, occur when a muscle becomes stretched or torn. They often occur due to overexertion. For example, a person may develop a mid-back muscle strain when lifting a too-heavy object. The torn muscle creates pain near the facet joint.

Arthritis

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in facet joints breaks down due to age and regular use. The cartilage becomes thin, brittle, and rough. This allows the bones in the joint to rub against one another painfully, and it may cause the growth of bone spurs into the joint.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries are injuries that occur suddenly. If the back suddenly bends or twists beyond its range of motion, or if it is subject to a blunt force, then traumatic damage may result. Types of acute facet joint injuries include muscle and tendon strains, ligament sprains, and bone fractures.

Repetitive Use Injuries

Repetitive use injuries are injuries that build up over time. When a person performs repetitive bending or lifting, such as for work or a sport, their joints become slightly damaged with each motion. These tiny amounts of damage eventually accumulate into a larger problem.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a spine deformity that causes the spine to bend to either side. This bend creates more weight on the spine on one side of the body, forcing the facet joints on that side to work harder. This may result in pain and inflammation surrounding the facet joints.

How Do I Prepare for Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Before providing facet joint injections, Dr. Kurdali must first confirm that this treatment is appropriate for the patient’s condition. He performs a thorough diagnosis to identify the cause of the pain. Diagnosis begins with a physical examination where he assesses the spine and asks questions about symptoms. He follows up with medical imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-Ray, to examine the soft tissues and skeletal structures.

As soon as the patient has a diagnosis, Dr. Kurdali moves into treatment. Facet joint injections do not require extensive preparation, though patients should inform Dr. Kurdali of complicating factors such as blood-thinning medication prescriptions or an allergy to contrast dyes.

What Can I Expect from Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Thoracic facet joint injections are an outpatient procedure that does not require a hospital stay. Patients start by putting on a hospital gown and lying face down on a comfortable table. Dr. Kurdali then performs these steps:

Cleans the skin around the treatment site
Applies a local anesthetic to numb the treatment site to reduce discomfort when inserting the needle
Using guidance from medical imaging to insert a small, thin needle near the painful joint
Injecting contrast dye to confirm that the needle is correctly placed and that the dye does not enter the bloodstream
Slowly injecting the steroid medication, which may make the patient feel pressure, tingling, or slight pain
Removing the needle and applying gentle pressure to prevent bleeding
Cleaning the treatment site and protecting it with a dressing

The injection procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish. Afterward, patients rest in a chair or bed for a short observational period. As soon as Dr. Kurdali is confident there is no adverse reaction, the patient is released to go home. Patients can resume their everyday activities right away.

What Are the Results from Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Many patients feel better right after receiving facet joint injections. This is because the anesthetic used to numb the injection site also provides short-term relief from joint pain. This relief will go away in a few hours when the anesthetic wears off. At this stage, patients may experience a temporary increase in pain. The corticosteroid takes effect within a few days to provide longer-lasting relief.

Not all patients get the same benefits from facet joint injections. While some individuals get a few weeks of relief, others are symptom-free for several months or more. When the relief wears off, Dr. Kurdali can schedule an appointment to repeat the injection.

What Are the Side Effects and Risks from Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?

Thoracic facet joint injections are a simple procedure that is safe for most patients. Side effects are rare and usually minor. They include:

A cold pack or over-the-counter pain medications may be used to relieve temporary pain until it goes away within a few days. If the patient experiences any other symptoms, they should contact Dr. Kurdali. Watch for warning signs such as:

These symptoms may indicate an infection or allergic reaction. Both are complications that warrant additional medical attention.

What Should I Expect from Rehabilitation after a Thoracic Facet Joint Injection?

While thoracic facet joint injections help to control symptoms of facet joint pain, they do not directly address its cause. As a result, they can provide only temporary pain relief. The most effective treatment plan combines injections with rehabilitative care. The following treatment types help to maximize the benefits of facet joint injections:

Facet joint injections provide enough relief for patients to participate in physical therapy or receive chiropractic care without excessive discomfort. This enables patients to work toward long-term improvements in their spine health. Over time, the combined approach provides a greater reduction in symptoms and a stronger spine that can more easily withstand stress without injury.

Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Facet joint pain is a common complaint for many populations, including seniors, office workers, and athletes. All patients can get relief at Kurdali Spine & Pain. We were founded by Dr. Basil Kurdali, a board-certified pain management doctor who delivers non-surgical treatments for all types of spine pain. With his training and experience, Dr. Kurdali diagnoses and treats spine conditions with accuracy to help patients feel better without a lengthy recovery.

At Kurdali Spine & Pain, we understand that patients who are in pain don’t want to wait for relief. That is why we promise a streamlined process from initial consultation to effective treatment. Patients receive a same-day diagnosis and treatment, going home with less pain than they had on arrival.

Get Middle Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

If you are struggling with middle back pain, don’t wait to get relief. Kurdali Spine & Pain has locations near you across New Jersey where we provide a full range of non-surgical relief options for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain. Contact us today to learn more about thoracic facet joint injections and the relief they provide, or to schedule your first appointment.

Thoracic Facet Joint Injection FAQ

How do thoracic facet joint injections differ from thoracic epidural injections?

Facet joint injections target the soft tissues surrounding a facet joint. They treat joint pain and stiffness from arthritis, poor posture, and injuries. Thoracic epidural steroid injections, on the other hand, target the epidural layer surrounding the spinal cord. They treat spinal root nerve impingement.

What risks or side effects should I watch for after a thoracic facet joint injection?

Patients should watch for symptoms of infection or allergies, including fever, nausea, vomiting, confusion or difficulty concentrating, and dizziness.

What insurance does Kurdali Spine & Pain accept?

Kurdali Spine & Pain works with all major insurance carriers and Medicare. When you visit, we will help you understand your coverage, benefits, and payment options.