Intra-articular Facet Injections are fluoroscopically guided injections of a local anesthetic and depot steroid into facet joints suspected to be the source of spinal pain.
In the lower back, this type of pain is most frequently related to degenerative disc disease, which places increased stress on the facet joints. In the neck, it is the most common cause of pain following a whiplash-type injury.
Pain originating from the facet joints may also result from conditions such as synovial tears, cysts, hematomas, subluxations, spinal instability, spondylolisthesis, and vertebral compression fractures.
The purpose of the injection is two-fold. Relief of pain from the local anesthetic provides important diagnostic information, allowing the physician to more accurately identify and treat the source of spinal pain.
The steroid component can provide long-term relief of symptoms in many cases. Further treatment is guided by the patient’s response to both the local anesthetic and the steroid.