What Is A Facet Joint Injection?
- Facet joint injections are a minimally invasive treatment to relieve back or neck pain.
- A local anesthetic and/or steroid medication is injected directly into the facet joint.
- Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the injection.
- Historically, these injections were used for chronic pain conditions like arthritis or injuries in the facet joints of the spine.
- Today, many physicians prefer performing targeted nerve blocks on the nerves that supply sensation to the facet joints.
Benefits
- Pain relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved mobility
Risks
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Allergic reaction
- Increased pain
Recovery
- Patients usually return home on the same day.
- Full recovery is expected within a few days after the procedure.
- The goal is to provide pain relief, identify the source of the patient’s pain, and help inform future treatment decisions.