What is a facet joint level?

Facet Joint Anatomy Animation. Small joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae. There are two facet joints at each level of the vertebral column, providing stability to the spinal column while allowing movement. They are found at every spinal level, except at the top level of the cervical spine.

How do you code a facet joint injection?

The cervical/thoracic facet injection codes (64490, 64491 and 64492) and lumbar/sacral facet joint injection codes (64493, 64494 and 64495) are reported once when the injection procedure is performed irrespective of whether a single or multiple puncture is required to anesthetize the target joint at a given level and …

How do I bill facet injections?

CPT 64495 – Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), lumbar or sacral; third and any additional level(s)

How many facet joint injections can I have?

How Often Should a Facet Joint Injection be Done? This treatment does not offer permanent pain relief. Patients may have one or two repeat injections over a six-month period. It is not recommended that a patient receive more than three injections in this time frame.

Do facet injections cause weight gain?

Side effects of the injected steroid may include temporary weight gain, temporary increase in blood sugar (mainly in diabetics), temporary water retention; you can discuss the steroid medication more completely when you come in for your injection.

What happens if facet joint injections don’t work?

If you experience any pain relief from the initial facet joint injection, your provider may suggest that you try a repeat injection to see if it continues to help. If, however, the injections do not alleviate your pain at all, it’s time to move onto other options.

Is T12 L1 considered thoracic or lumbar?

Currently, T12-L1 is considered a thoracic level for both transforaminal and facet injections. For transforaminal approach at T12-L1, this is considered thru the T12 foramen where the T12 spinal nerve exits. For facet joint blocks, the T12-L1 facet joint receives innervation from the T11 and T12 medial branches.

What is a lumbar facet injection?

A lumbar facet joint block is an injection of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) into one or more of the small joints located along the side of each vertebrae on both sides of the spine in the lower part of the back. Multiple injections may be performed, depending upon how many joints are involved.