The facet joints are small joints located in sets of two (one on each side) on every vertebra in the spine. They give the spine motion and provide stability. Due to the important roles they play, however, these joints may result in pain from conditions such as arthritis, trauma or undue stress on the back.
A facet joint injection (also known as a facet block) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve pain by injecting a small amount of medication directly into the joint.
Facet joint injections typically have two goals:
Facet joint injections are typically performed in an outpatient setting at an ambulatory surgery center or in-office. Taking between 15 and 30 minutes, the procedure includes:
After the procedure, patients will wait in the recovery area (or office) for a period of time—typically 20 to 30 minutes—and then will be asked to perform movements that would normally result in pain.
Patients should avoid driving or any strenuous activity until further instructed by the physician. If the facet joint injection was performed to diagnose a condition, pain medication should be avoided four to six hours following the procedure.
At IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, our surgeons specialize in facet joint injections for patients living with facet joint-related conditions. Utilizing the latest tools and techniques, our specialists provide a superior quality of care for this and other spine, brain and neuroendovascular conditions.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.