Facet Joint Injections and Direct Primary Care (DPC): Targeted Relief, Personalized Care
Facet joint injections can help with chronic back or neck pain caused by arthritic facet joints. DPC makes sure that this procedure is done by professionals and that you get the care you need afterwards.
Facet Joint Injections: How They Help Calm Down Spinal Inflammation
Facet joint injections give corticosteroids and/or anesthetics to inflamed spinal joints. They do this by:
- Osteoarthritis: Changes in joints that get worse over time.
- Spondylosis: wear and tear on the spine that happens with age.
- Whiplash injuries: Inflammation after an injury.
Under fluoroscopic guidance, the procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Important information for patients:
- Uses: Finds out what's causing facet-mediated pain and treats it.
- Safety: Low risk; numbness or flushing that lasts a short time may happen.
- Costs: Traditional clinics charge between 1,000 USD and 3,000 USD; DPC lowers costs by offering bundled care.
Risks of pain that isn't treated:
- Less mobility and dependence on opioids.
How DPC Changes the Way Facet Injection Care Is Done
Direct Primary Care (DPC) replaces disjointed pain management with coordinated, patient-centered care.
1. Better planning and easier referrals
- Same-day imaging: MRI/CT to check for facet hypertrophy or synovitis.
- Working together with pain specialists: Work with interventional radiologists.
- Before the injection, change the blood thinners and take care of the diabetes.
2. Clear costs and full support
- Prices that include everything: Consultation, procedure, and follow-ups are all covered by membership.
- Lower costs: Patients who pay for their own care save between 500 USD and 1,500 USD.
- Other choices: If injections only help for a short time, talk about radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
3. Recovery with care and long-lasting relief
- Access 24/7: Take care of soreness or allergic reactions right away after the shot.
- Plans for rehab that are made just for you: Help people do core-strengthening exercises to keep their spines stable.
- Preventive care: Suggest acupuncture, weight loss, or better posture.
Real-Life Success Stories
- Case 1: Sarah, 55, has arthritis in her lumbar facet. Sarah's DPC team gave her injections that brought her pain down from 8/10 to 3/10.
- Case 2: John, 60, after a whiplash injury. John's DPC provider used cervical facet injections and physical therapy to help him move his neck again.
Facet Injections in DPC: Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: When will I start to feel better?
- A: 3–5 days; the best effect is in 2 weeks.
- Q: How many shots can I get?
- A: 3–4 times a year to avoid side effects from steroids.
- Q: Are the costs of X-rays included?
- A: Yes. DPC includes fluoroscopy in the cost of the procedure.
- Q: What if the pain comes back?
- A: DPC talks about RFA for longer-lasting pain relief.
Why DPC Is Great at Managing Pain
The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) stresses the importance of accuracy in facet interventions. DPC gets things done by:
- Cutting down on wait times: 90% of injections are done in less than a week instead of the usual 3 weeks or more.
- Lowering complications: Image guidance lowers the rate of misplacement by 60%.
- Cost-cutting: Bundled care saves members between 1,000 USD and 2,000 USD a year.
Final Thoughts
Facet joint injections don't just numb pain; they also help you get back to being able to bend, twist, and be active. With DPC, you get a partner who makes sure your care is delivered correctly, keeps an eye on your progress, and changes your care plan as needed. No insurance problems, no broken follow-ups—just caring professionals who help you get back to moving freely.
