At New York Sports Spine Pain Medicine, we utilize Facet Joint Blocks and Selective Nerve Root Blocks as powerful tools for both diagnosing and treating spine-related pain. These procedures are designed to pinpoint the source of discomfort and provide targeted relief for patients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and nerve compression.

Facet Joint Blocks involve the injection of a local anesthetic and corticosteroid into the facet joints—small joints located along the spine that enable flexibility and movement. Similarly, Selective Nerve Root Blocks target specific nerve roots where inflammation or irritation may be causing radiating pain in the back, neck, or extremities.

Diagnostic Purpose: These injections serve as a critical diagnostic tool to identify the precise nerve or joint responsible for a patient’s pain. If the pain is alleviated temporarily following the injection, it confirms the location of the problem, allowing our team to develop a tailored treatment plan.

Therapeutic Purpose: Beyond diagnosis, the steroid medication reduces inflammation and provides pain relief, offering patients a window of comfort. This relief is essential for resuming daily activities, improving mobility, and engaging in physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles, restore function, and promote long-term healing.

The procedures are performed in our advanced in-house procedure suite, where we utilize fluoroscopic guidance (real-time X-ray imaging) to ensure the medication is delivered with pinpoint accuracy. This precision not only enhances the safety of the procedure but also maximizes its effectiveness, ensuring that the source of pain is directly addressed.

Facet Joint Blocks and Selective Nerve Root Blocks are minimally invasive, quick procedures, often completed within 20-30 minutes, and require minimal downtime. Patients frequently experience immediate or gradual relief, enabling them to regain independence in performing daily tasks and improving their overall quality of life.

At New York Sports Spine Pain Medicine, we are dedicated to helping our patients achieve lasting relief and functional recovery through targeted, state-of-the-art treatments. Facet Joint and Nerve Root Blocks are invaluable tools in our comprehensive approach to pain management, empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being.