- CB Physiotherapy

Facet joint injections are minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat pain that comes from the facet joints in your spine.

A doctor injects:

Local anesthetic (for immediate pain relief)
Corticosteroid (to reduce inflammation)
The injection is given directly into the facet joint or near the medial branch nerves supplying it.

Facet joints are small joints located between each pair of vertebrae along your spine. They help:

1. Stabilize the spine

2. Control movement (like bending and twisting)

3. Prevent excessive motion

Over time, these joints can become inflamed or arthritic, causing back or neck pain.

Facet joint injections work by targeting inflammation and pain signals coming from the small joints in your spine (facet joints).

Here’s how the process works step-by-step:

Step 1: Identify Pain Source

Facet joints irritated due to arthritis, injury, or degeneration send pain through medial branch nerves.

Step 2: Medication Effect

Local anesthetic → Immediate temporary pain relief

Steroid → Reduces inflammation for longer relief

Step 3: Procedure

Needle guided under X-ray

Medication injected at pain source

Anesthetic blocks pain signals

Steroid reduces swelling

Immediate relief = from the numbing medicine

Longer-term relief = from reduced inflammation

If pain reduces significantly for a few hours, it confirms facet joint involvement.

If relief is short-lived but strong, doctors may consider Radiofrequency Ablation for longer-lasting relief.

Facet joint injections can have the following effects. Here’s a clear breakdown:

1. Pain Reduction

2. Reduced Inflammation

3. Improved Mobility

4. Reduced Muscle Spasm

5. Diagnostic Confirmation

Facet joint injections are mainly used to treat pain coming from the facet joints that have become irritated, inflamed, or arthritic.

Here are the main conditions they help treat:

1. Facet Arthropathy (Spinal Osteoarthritis)

2. Chronic Low Back Pain

3. Chronic Neck Pain

4. Degenerative Disc Disease

5. Whiplash Injury

6. Facet-related Spinal Stenosis

7. Spondylosis

8. Post-surgical Back Pain

Facet joint injections offer several advantages, especially for people with chronic neck or back pain believed to come from the facet joints.

Here are the key benefits:

1. Minimally invasive (15–30 mins)

2. Quick recovery

3. Immediate pain relief

4. Confirms diagnosis

5. Improves participation in physiotherapy

6. May delay/avoid surgery

7. Reduces need for oral painkillers

Yes — facet joint injections are generally considered safe when performed by a trained medical professional under imaging guidance (usually X-ray/fluoroscopy).

They are:

Minimally invasive
Low complication rate
Generally well tolerated

Diagnostic Injection

Usually 1 session, done to confirm facet joint as the pain source.

If pain relief is significant, facet joint is confirmed

If relief is short-term but positive → next step may be Radiofrequency Ablation

Therapeutic Injection

1–3 sessions per year

Not more than 3–4 steroid injections annually

A facet joint injection session typically lasts:

Procedure time: 15–30 minutes
Total clinic time: 30–60 minutes
Same-day discharge
Resume normal activity within 24 hours

1. During Procedure

Mild pinch or pressure

Temporary reproduction of usual pain

2. Immediately After

Numbness

Reduced stiffness

Mild soreness

3. 24–48 Hours

Mild soreness or temporary flare

4. 2–5 Days Later

Gradual pain relief

Improved movement

Reduced spasm

Facet joint injections are considered when doctors suspect that your neck or back pain is coming from the facet joints and more conservative treatments haven’t provided enough relief.

Here’s when they’re typically recommended: