Chronic pain is really difficult to manage in one’s daily life. A lot of people suffer from chronic pain and try a variety of remedies to fix it. If massages and topical medications do not work for you, consider this alternative treatment option. If you struggle with chronic neck or back pain, you should consider getting a facet joint injection.

Facet joint injections are minimally invasive and used to relieve pain caused by the inflamed spine. Small joints in the spine can become inflamed for several reasons, including aging, injury, or arthritis.

Understanding how facet joint injections work can help you make an informed decision on what pain management to choose.

What Are Facet Joints?

Facet joints are joints located between the vertebrae of the spine. Each vertebra has two facet joints, which connect one vertebra to the next and help guide movement in the spine. These joints stabilize the spinal column and allow bending and twisting. When facet joints become inflamed or damaged, they can cause pain in areas like the neck, back, buttocks, or shoulders.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), facet joint can contribute to osteoarthritis, leading to chronic back and neck pain.

What Is a Facet Joint Injection?

A facet joint injection is a non-surgical procedure where a combination of anesthetic and steroid medication is injected into the affected joint. The procedure aims not just to diagnose the source of pain but also to reduce inflammation in the specific facet joint.

During the procedure, a physician uses a real-time X-ray called a fluoroscopy to guide the needle into the affected joint. The injection usually contains:

  • A local anesthetic to numb the joint and to provide immediate pain relief.
  • A corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and provide long-term pain relief.

If the facet joint injection relieves the pain, it’ll confirm that the facet joint is the source of pain. This method of diagnosis is useful in cases where pain may be originating from multiple parts of the spine.

5 Conditions Treated by Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections can help treat a variety of chronic pain issues, such as the following:

The injection is especially beneficial for individuals who still feel pain even after physical therapy, medications, and other treatments.

What to Expect During a Facet Joint Injection

Facet joint injections are not invasive procedures and are done relatively quickly. Because of this, they are typically done in an outpatient setting and take only about 20 to 30 minutes. Here’s a basic overview of the facet joint injection process:

  1. Preparation and Needle Placement: First, the patient’s skin around the injection site will be sanitized and numbed. Then, using a live x-ray (fluoroscopy) to check the placement, the physician will guide a needle into the joint.
  2. Actual Injection: A mixture of anesthetic and steroid medication will be injected into the site of the affected facet joint.
  3. Observation: After the injection, you’ll be monitored by medical professionals to ensure there are no issues. If you experience any concerns during this stage, please notify your physician immediately.

Most patients report some discomfort during the procedure and typically go home the same day, provided no issues arise. It is recommended that you refrain from doing strenuous activities for one to two days after the procedure.

What Results to Expect from a Facet Joint Injection

Granted that the correct joint was treated, pain relief from facet joint injections is typically immediate due to anesthetics. However, the steroid may take a few days to reduce overall inflammation and provide longer-lasting joint relief.

Facet joint injection results can vary a lot. Some patients experience relief for weeks or months, while others may need periodic injections to manage returning pain. If the pain relief is too brief, more permanent but risky solutions like radiofrequency ablation should be considered.

Risks and Side Effects of Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections are generally safe as they are non-invasive, but like all medical procedures, they come with some possible side effects:

  • Allergic reaction to the injected medication
  • Mild soreness, swelling, or tenderness around the injection site
  • Minor bleeding or bruising
  • Numbness
  • Steroid-related side effects
  • Temporary increase in pain before relief

Most of these risks are minor and go away within a few days. You can discuss and ask about these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

Going Through Chronic Back and Neck Pain? We Can Help.

Whether dealing with lower back pain, neck pain, or any other chronic pain, the Pain Treatment Institute can give you the relief you need. Don’t let chronic pain keep you from living your best life.

Contact our team today to schedule your consultation and discover which pain management procedure is right for you!