Facet Block Treatment in Turkey
About Facet Block
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with no surgical incision.Serves as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic treatment.Performed under precise image guidance (fluoroscopy) for accuracy.Typically provides rapid pain relief, often within 30 minutes.Can help delay or avoid the need for more invasive spine surgery.Performed as an outpatient procedure with a short recovery time./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Chronic neck (cervical) or back (lumbar/thoracic) pain that has not responded to conservative treatments like physical therapy or medication.
- Suspected facet joint syndrome or facet joint arthritis (spondylosis).
- Pain that worsens with twisting, bending backward, or prolonged standing/sitting.
- Localized spinal tenderness over the facet joints.
- As a diagnostic step to confirm the facet joint as the pain source before considering a longer-term procedure like radiofrequency ablation.
- Pain following a whiplash injury or spinal trauma.
How to prepare
- Discontinue blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel) as advised by your doctor, typically 5-7 days prior.
- Inform your physician of all medications, supplements, and allergies, especially to iodine, contrast dye, or local anesthetics.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as driving is not permitted for 24 hours.
- You may be asked to fast (no food or drink) for a few hours before the procedure.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
- A pre-procedure consultation will review your medical history and imaging studies (like MRI or CT scans).
Risks & possible complications
- Common temporary side effects include soreness at the injection site, a feeling of warmth, or temporary numbness.
- Risk of infection at the injection site (very low).
- Bleeding or bruising.
- Allergic reaction to the anesthetic or corticosteroid medication.
- Rarely, nerve damage, dural puncture (causing a spinal headache), or increased pain.
- Temporary weakness or numbness in the limbs.
- Facial flushing or a temporary increase in blood sugar (due to steroid).
Recovery & hospital stay
- You will be monitored in a recovery area for 30-60 minutes after the procedure.
- Rest for the remainder of the day; avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending for 24-48 hours.
- You may apply ice to the injection site if you experience soreness.
- Keep the injection site clean and dry for 24 hours.
- Pain relief may begin within hours, but the full effect of the steroid may take 3-5 days.
- Your doctor may advise you to keep a pain diary to track the effectiveness of the block.
- Follow up with your spine specialist to discuss the results and any next steps in your treatment plan.
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Typical hospital stay:
0 days (Outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 days for normal activity; 5-7 days for full effect of medication
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering facet block in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for facet block in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform facet block. MediFyr helps you compare spine surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for facet block compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 165 – USD 441 | 0 days (Outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 days for normal activity; 5-7 days for full effect of medication | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 1,229 – USD 3,278 | 0 days (Outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 days for normal activity; 5-7 days for full effect of medication | Know More |
Top hospitals for Facet Block in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing facet block.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Myra Patel is a 58-year-old high...
Myra Patel is a 58-year-old high school biology teacher who has always been active, gardening and hiking with her husband. For the past two years, she's been plagued by a deep, aching pain in her lower back that radiates into her right hip. It's sharp and catching when she twists to write on the whiteboard or bends to tend her roses. Over-the-counter pain relievers and months of physical therapy provided only fleeting relief. The constant discomfort made her irritable in class and she withdrew from her beloved hikes, feeling like a spectator in her own life. Her spine surgeon, after reviewing her MRI which showed arthritis in the lumbar facet joints, recommended a diagnostic facet block. He explained it as a targeted injection of anesthetic to 'turn off' the specific joint suspected of causing pain. If it worked, it would confirm the source. Myra was nervous but desperate. The procedure itself was quick, done with X-ray guidance. She felt pressure and a strange warmth, but the local anesthetic kept it manageable. Within an hour, the deep ache she'd lived with for years was dramatically reduced. This positive response confirmed the diagnosis. While not a permanent cure, the block gave her a window of significant pain relief. She used this pain-free period to aggressively restart her physical therapy with renewed hope. Emotionally, she moved from frustration and grief over her lost mobility to optimism. The procedure wasn't a magic bullet, but it was a crucial map, showing her and her doctor the right path forward for longer-term management.