What is a Facet Joint Injection?

A facet joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to treat pain in the facet joints. These joints are located in the spine and act as stabilizers. They can be found in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. They can be used to relieve pain in the neck, back, and other areas of the body. The procedure involves injecting a small amount of anesthetic or steroid into the facet joint, which is located between the vertebrae in the spine.

It is imperative that the source of pain is accurately identified; several spine conditions produce similar symptoms. The doctors at Pain Institute of Georgia will focus on non-surgical diagnosis and treatment for back and joint pain and will thoroughly evaluate your symptoms to determine if facet injections will be an effective and appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of Facet Joint Problems Include:

• A tender sensation above the inflamed facet joint.
• Some reduction in flexibility.
• Pain is more extreme when the patient bends back.
• Low back pain can extend to the buttocks or legs.
• Pain may radiate into the shoulders or upper back.

Benefits

Facet joint injections can be used to treat pain in the facet joints that is caused by arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or facet joint syndrome. The procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic and/or a steroid into the facet joint. This can provide pain relief for several weeks or months.

Your doctor at Pain Institute of Georgia will discuss with you if this type of treatment may work for your specific pain and go over risks and benefits so together you can make an informed decision about whether facet joint injections are right for you.