Confirmed facet source
Offered once a diagnostic block has implicated the facet joints — treating a proven source, not a suspicion.
Treatments · Interventional Pain Management
Facet Joint Injection
A targeted injection to the small joints of the spine, used within interventional pain management.
What it is
Calming an arthritic joint from inside
A facet joint injection places anti-inflammatory medication precisely where facet arthritis burns — inside the joint capsule, confirmed by imaging. It treats the inflammation driving the pain while the joint itself stays untouched.
Inflammation control
Corticosteroid medication calms the inflamed joint lining, easing pain and the muscle spasm that guards it.
A window for rehab
Reduced pain lets physiotherapy progress — which is where the lasting benefit is built.
Surgery-sparing option
For suitable facet pain, a well-placed injection course can postpone or remove the need for larger procedures.
What to expect
A brief, precise appointment
The procedure itself is short and performed with you awake, so you can report what you feel throughout.
01
Guided placement
The needle is positioned inside the joint under fluoroscopy or CT, sometimes confirming position with a trace of contrast.
02
Medication effect
Anaesthetic gives immediate numbness; the anti-inflammatory component builds over the days that follow.
03
Aftercare
Rest the area briefly, then move as advised. Report fever, worsening pain or new neurology promptly.
Common questions
Things patients ask us
How long does the relief last?
It varies widely between individuals — from weeks to many months. The injection is judged by the function it restores while active, not only by the calendar.
How many injections will I need?
As few as achieve the goal. Your surgeon spaces treatments and stops when they no longer add benefit — injections are a bridge, not a routine.
What are the risks?
Brief soreness, flushing or blood-sugar rises are the commonest effects. Infection, bleeding and nerve injury are uncommon; blood thinners, diabetes and allergies are reviewed beforehand.
Will I need surgery instead?
Not necessarily. Facet pain confirmed and settled by injections often never needs an operation — and if it returns, the diagnostic information guides whatever comes next.
Could this help you?
Send your imaging and history. The ProSpine team will review your case and respond with the next steps.
Free · No obligation · Reviewed by the ProSpine team