Facet Joint Injections in lower back/spine

friends just had her horse medicated, he had a couple of weeks of riding just being lunged and then work as normal hes going beautifully now, much more relaxed and happier
 
Do you mean horse or human spine? If human then I shall watch with interest as i am a year into a herniated disc and am desperately looking for things that might help.
 
I had human injections and it was the worst thing I've ever done! I read all the reviews and opinions online and was maybe a bit naive about it but the procedure was absolute agony, I've never known pain like it (and my appendix ruptured!) and afterwards I couldn't walk, was in excruciating pain and was wheel chair bound. I would not recommend it!
 
KatPT said:
Do you mean horse or human spine? If human then I shall watch with interest as i am a year into a herniated disc and am desperately looking for things that might help.
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Sorry human !!

My horse has had his hocks done 4 times over a 7 year period and has been fine.
 
KatPT said:
Do you mean horse or human spine? If human then I shall watch with interest as i am a year into a herniated disc and am desperately looking for things that might help.
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i had a herniated disc - only treatment that sorted it - operation to remove it - best thing i ever did.
 
I had injections into discs and facet joints, I was sedated so knew nothing and felt nothing. The effects lasted about 6 months and was really good whilst it lasted however I had side effects - really bad migraines every few days. I had the same procedure a year later and the same happened. Not everyone has side effects you need to discuss with consultant.
 
Leg_end said:
I had human injections and it was the worst thing I've ever done! I read all the reviews and opinions online and was maybe a bit naive about it but the procedure was absolute agony, I've never known pain like it (and my appendix ruptured!) and afterwards I couldn't walk, was in excruciating pain and was wheel chair bound. I would not recommend it!
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Bejesus, they must have butchered you.

Other half had 4 injections this morning, says he feels ok but looks a whiter shade of pale.

He has been crippled since January 2011, had all sorts of physio and pills and now these injections, I hope they work as well for him as they did for my horse !
 
I've had the steroid injections twice, 6 each time. The first time they lasted a couple of years, the 2nd time I've been virtually pain free and that was 15 years ago.

I have a degenerative disease in 6 facet joints and 1 disc in my lower back.
 
Both my husband and I have had facet joint injections in the lower spine. His worked and gave him 6 months relief: his was for disc problems and a little arthritis and was done under a general anaesthetic. I had them done for arthritis too, back pain and sciatica, but done using gas and air. Be warned - gas and air does not work on everyone and sadly I was one of those! It was the most painful thing imaginable and I had no relief whatsoever after the injections. My advice would be to only have it done if the surgeon has done a good many of them as you certainly don't want to be a guinea pig for someone with a shaking hand.
Ask as many questions of your surgeon as you can. Outcome will depend on his/her skill, your original problem and luck.
I wish you the very best of it!
 
AdorableAlice said:
Anybody had this done please. If so was riding more comfortable afterwards and how long did the pain relief last.
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I've had MANY over the past 15 years. I don't ride, so I can't advise you on that level. However, done properly, with careful attention to your lumbar health, the injections can seem nothing short of miraculous. The reason I have had so many in the past has a lot to do with my continued abuse of my back: constant lifting of bales of hay; hauling massive amounts of water in freezing conditions; filling the wheelbarrow with entirely too much muck at one go; picking up and carrying away tonnes of stones, over the years, to prevent hoof injuries; bending down to scrub the white feathers on my Shires, all of whom have 4 whites; gardening, to name a few of my damaging behaviours.

The procedure is X-ray assisted so as to guide the doctor in placing the needle in the correct position. Sometimes the position might be slightly off, resulting in a less than optimum outcome. In my case, I have had facet injections and root blocks, quite successfully. I am very careful, now. There's only so much steroid and X-ray to which a person should submit.

I would heartily recommend the procedure. Just take better care of your back than I have done.
 
I've just read some of the comments on page 1. My procedures have been done with me being totally awake. I am placed on my tummy on the X-ray table. The doctor administers local pain block and it stings a bit. Before anything is injected, the doctor places the needle into position, X-rays what he has just done, and when he is satisfied with the placement, he then attaches the syringe to the needle and injects the steroid. In the scheme of things, it's a tiny amount of fluid, but can be uncomfortable, for a few seconds, right down the leg. Considering the discomfort I had been experiencing prior to the procedure, it's a small price to pay. I have to take it easy for about 3 days. Over the years I have had two different doctors perform this routine. The doctor I have used in the past 5 years is vastly superior to his predecessor.
 
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