Facet Joint Injections - Health Tips

Facet joints are located on each side of the vertebra. When irritated or injured, they can become inflamed and cause back or neck pain.

A facet joint block is an injection of cortisone and an anesthetic into the facet joint

What to Expect Before

• The skin and underlying tissue is numbed with an injection of local anesthetic (Lidocaine).
• Using moving x-ray image guidance (fluoroscopy), a larger needle is placed into the facet joint.
• A small amount of contrast dye is injected to assure correct placement. Then a small volume of corticosteroid (cortisone) plus local anesthetic is injected into the joint.
• In a medial branch block, local anesthetic is injected near the facet joint at nerves that supply the joint.

How to Prepare

• Talk to our providers about medications and supplements you usually take.
• If you take blood thinners, ask for special instructions to stop them before the procedure.
• We do not recommend this procedure for patients who are pregnant.

What to Expect After

• Local anesthetic injected at the facet joint will usually last 3-12 hours.
• The cortisone may take a few days to begin working.
• Avoid heavy lifting and other activities that can stress your lower back for one or two days after the procedure.
• Carefully monitor your symptoms. Tell your provider at your follow-up appointment.

Will I get long-term relief?

• For most patients, a facet joint block relieves pain and inflammation for weeks to months, and sometimes longer.
• The procedure may also help you get on with your other treatment such as an exercise program.
• If the procedure provides a positive diagnostic response without long-term relief, we can discuss a longer-lasting procedure called facet joint neurotomy. This procedure is fairly technical, and requires referral to another specialist.