Facet Joint Injections
Overview
We treat some forms of neck , mid-back and lower back pain with facet joint injections. Back pain that radiates to the shoulders, upper legs and buttocks may also respond to this treatment. By injecting a quick-acting anesthetic combined with a longer-acting corticosteroid, we reduce pain-causing inflammation and pressure that irritates nerves.
Procedure Details and Expectations
This procedure takes place in our office and generally takes less than half an hour. You’ll remain awake and receive a local anesthetic, so you’ll feel no discomfort during the treatment. The doctor will use fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray) to see exactly where to place the needle and confirm placement with radiographic contrast (dye). After the procedure, you’ll rest for about 20 minutes while we monitor your condition, then you’re free to go home (have someone drive you) to take it easy for the rest of the day. You should be able to return to normal activity the next day. We’ll schedule a follow-up appointment a week or ten days after the procedure to review your progress.
