Facet joint injection

A facet joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can temporarily relieve neck or back pain caused by inflamed facet joints. The cause of facet joint pain can be various, including arthritis, injury, or degeneration of the spine.

Procedure

The procedure involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic (numbing agent) and/or steroid medication, which can anesthetize the facet joints and block the pain. The pain relief from a facet joint injection is intended to help a patient better tolerate a physical therapy routine to rehabilitate his or her injury or back condition.

Indications

Facet joint injections are most commonly used for patients who have had no relief from conservative, non-surgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications. If an MRI or other diagnostic test does not clearly confirm the cause of the pain, a facet joint injection might be used to determine if the facet joints are the source of pain.

Risks and Complications

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with facet joint injections. These may include infection, bleeding, worsening of symptoms, or allergic reactions to the medications used. In rare cases, complications may involve nerve damage or spinal headaches.

See Also

• Epidural steroid injection
• Spinal disc herniation
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylosis

References

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  Facet joint injection