Facet Joint Injection
A facet joint injection is a nonsurgical treatment that places medicine into a small spinal joint to help diagnose or relieve pain.
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Nonsurgical Spine Care & Pain Management
We have decades of experience caring for patients with back and spine conditions, pioneering minimally invasive treatments and leading research for new treatments to improve patient outcomes.
What Is a Facet Joint Injection?
A facet joint injection is a treatment used to target pain coming from the facet joints, which are the small joints that connect the bones of the spine. The injection usually contains a local anesthetic and, in some cases, a steroid medicine to help calm inflammation.
This treatment may be used for neck or back pain caused by irritated or arthritic facet joints. It can also help your physician learn whether a specific joint is the source of pain. Some people who have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis or ongoing pain after strain or wear and tear may be evaluated for this type of injection.
Why Choose Baptist Health?
At Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care, physicians take a personalized approach to spine-related pain. Care plans often begin with a careful evaluation, imaging when needed and discussion of nonsurgical options before moving to more advanced treatment.
Baptist Health offers coordinated care across pain management, neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation. For people with ongoing symptoms, that can make it easier to move from diagnosis to treatment, follow-up care and next-step options when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It treats pain that may be coming from the small joints in the spine. These joints can become irritated from arthritis, injury or age-related changes.
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It can be used for both. The numbing medicine may help show whether a facet joint is the pain source and the anti-inflammatory medicine may help reduce pain for a period of time.
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The procedure itself is often short, but your full visit may take longer because of check-in, preparation and observation afterward. Your care team can explain what to expect for your visit.
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Some facet joint injections are done with little or no sedation, while others may involve medicine to help you relax. That depends on the treatment plan, the area being treated and your medical needs.
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Some people notice early relief from the numbing medicine, while steroid-related relief may take longer. Response varies, and tracking your symptoms after the procedure can help your physician understand the results.
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Pain relief can vary widely. Some people feel relief for a short time, while others may feel improvement for longer. A facet joint injection does not cure the underlying cause of pain, but it may be one part of a broader treatment plan.
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Yes. Common issues can include soreness, temporary numbness or short-term increase in pain. Less common but more serious risks can include bleeding, infection or medication reaction.
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That information can still be useful. Short-term relief may help confirm the pain source and guide next-step treatments, which may include rehabilitation, medication changes or another procedure.
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Our researchers play a vital role in helping us better understand brain and spine disease. They participate in a wide variety of clinical trials dedicated to improving treatments that will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Learn more about their work and what it means to be involved in a clinical trial.
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