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Facet Joint Injection
A facet joint injection delivers a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid directly into the affected joint, reducing inflammation and providing targeted pain relief.
What is a Facet Joint Injection?
The facet joints are small, paired joints located along the back of the spine that allow for smooth, controlled movement and help stabilize the vertebrae. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic — due to injury, degenerative disc disease, or wear over time — they can be a significant source of back and neck pain. A facet joint injection delivers a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid directly into the affected joint, reducing inflammation and providing targeted pain relief. At River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, this procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
What To Expect
Facet joint injections are performed in our clinic or at Park Plaza Surgical Specialists and take approximately 20–30 minutes. Here's what to expect:
✔️ You'll lie face-down on a procedure table and the skin over the injection site will be cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic.
✔️ Dr. Brewer will use fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to guide the needle precisely into the facet joint.
✔️ A small volume of anti-inflammatory steroid combined with anesthetic is injected into the joint space.
✔️ If you feel rapid pain relief immediately following the injection, this also helps confirm the facet joint as your pain source.
✔️ You'll be monitored briefly in recovery before returning home.
Results and Recovery
Most patients return home the same day and can resume normal light activities within 24 hours. You may experience mild soreness at the injection site for a few days. Relief from the anesthetic component may be felt immediately but is temporary; the steroid's anti-inflammatory effects typically build over 3–7 days and can last weeks to several months. A follow-up appointment will help us track your response and determine whether additional treatment — such as facet radiofrequency neurotomy for longer-lasting relief — may be appropriate.
Facet joint injections are particularly well-suited for patients who experience:
✔️ Aching or stiffness in the neck or lower back that worsens with certain movements or extended standing
✔️ Pain that travels from the spine into the buttocks, hips, or down one or both thighs (but not typically below the knee)
✔️ Arthritis or degenerative changes in the spinal facet joints confirmed by imaging
✔️ Pain that is worse in the morning and eases somewhat with movement
✔️ Back or neck pain that hasn't responded well to medications or physical therapy alone
WHO IS THIS BEST FOR?
Benefits of Facet Joint Injections
Accurate Pain Source Diagnosis
Medial branch blocks are a type of injection treatment used for minimally invasive, non-surgical pain relief.
No Surgical Procedure Necessary
Medial branch blocks are a type of injection treatment used for minimally invasive, non-surgical pain relief.
Immediate Pain
Reduction
Medial branch blocks are a type of injection treatment used for minimally invasive, non-surgical pain relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A facet joint injection is delivered inside the joint capsule itself, while a medial branch block targets the small nerves that supply the facet joint from the outside. Both can provide diagnostic information and pain relief. Dr. Brewer will choose the approach best matched to your situation.
Some patients experience significant relief after a single injection; others benefit from a short series. If injections provide good but temporary relief, you may be a candidate for facet radiofrequency neurotomy, which can offer longer-lasting results.
Yes. Cervical facet joint injections are performed for neck pain and pain that radiates into the shoulders or upper back. The technique is very similar to the lumbar approach, and the same precision imaging guidance is used.
Light sedation can be offered for patient comfort, though many patients complete the procedure with just local anesthetic. We'll discuss your preferences before the appointment and tailor your care accordingly.
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