What to Expect From Facet Joint Injections

When you experience ongoing back or neck pain, it may be related to inflammation in the small joints that connect the vertebrae in your spine — the facet joints. These joints provide stability and flexibility, but they can become painful due to arthritis, injury, or degeneration.

At Spinal Diagnostics, we offer facet joint injections as a minimally invasive solution for diagnosing and relieving spine-related pain. If your provider has recommended this treatment, here’s what you can expect.

How facet joint injections work

Facet joint injections combine a local anesthetic with a corticosteroid medication. The anesthetic offers immediate, short-term relief, while the steroid reduces inflammation for longer-lasting effects.

We use fluoroscopy (a type of real-time X-ray) to guide a thin needle directly into the facet joint affected by inflammation. The accuracy of this process ensures the medication is delivered precisely where it’s needed.

What conditions can facet joint injections treat?

Facet joint injections are typically used for:

Chronic neck or lower back pain
Spinal arthritis or osteoarthritis
Degenerative disc disease
Facet joint syndrome
Whiplash-related neck pain

These injections may also be used as a diagnostic tool to confirm that your facet joints are the source of pain.

What to expect during the procedure

Facet joint injections are typically performed in an outpatient setting and take only 15-30 minutes. You’ll lie comfortably on your stomach (or side for neck injections), and we’ll numb the skin before inserting the needle.

You may feel pressure or a brief pinch, but the discomfort is minimal. Once the injection is complete, you’ll be monitored briefly and then sent home the same day.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Expert solutions for back, neck, and nerve pain, focused on restoring your quality of life.

Book Now

After the injection

It’s normal to feel relief within a few hours due to the anesthetic. This relief may wear off as the anesthetic fades, but the steroid will begin working over the next several days.

Most patients can resume light activity within 24 hours, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for a couple of days.

Results vary — some people experience relief for weeks or months, and the injection can be repeated if necessary as part of a long-term pain management plan.

If you’re dealing with persistent back or neck pain and want to know if facet joint injections are right for you, contact our team at Spinal Diagnostics today to schedule a consultation.

Pulled Muscle or Pinched Nerve? Signs Neck or Back Pain May Be Something More

Pulled Muscle or Pinched Nerve? Signs Neck or Back Pain May Be Something More When your neck or back starts hurting, it's natural to wonder whether it's just a sore muscle that needs time to settle down or something more. Many people notice neck pain, back pain,...

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Stand? Common Causes and Next Steps

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Stand? Common Causes and Next Steps If you have ever asked yourself, “Why does my back hurt when I stand?” you are not alone. Many people notice that their pain feels manageable while sitting or resting, then becomes more noticeable as...

Lower Back Pain Shooting Down One Leg: Common Causes and Next Steps

Lower Back Pain Shooting Down One Leg: Common Causes and Next Steps If you have lower back pain shooting down one leg, the sensation can be hard to ignore. Some people describe the pain shooting down their left leg like an electric jolt, while others notice burning,...

Emerging Non-Opioid Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

Emerging Non-Opioid Treatments for Chronic Back Pain Chronic back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. While medications have traditionally been used to manage symptoms, there is growing interest in non-opioid approaches that focus on...

Spinal Decompression Therapy Explained

Spinal Decompression Therapy Explained If you’re dealing with persistent neck or back pain, especially from a herniated disc upper back or nerve-related symptoms, you may have come across the term decompression of neck or spinal decompression therapy. But what does it...

Is Sitting the New Smoking? Fixes for Desk Life

Is Sitting the New Smoking? Fixes for Desk Life If you spend most of your day at a desk, you have probably heard some version of this question: Is sitting at a desk as bad as smoking? The comparison is dramatic, but it points to a real issue. Sitting for too long,...

Relief for SI Joint Pain: Physical Therapy Strategies That Make a Difference

Relief for SI Joint Pain: Physical Therapy Strategies That Make a Difference Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain can make daily activities hard. It can affect how you sit, move, or sleep. Many people notice SI joint pain gets worse at night when lying down. The...

Getting Active Again: Smart Strategies to Safely Return to Exercise

Getting Active Again: Smart Strategies to Safely Return to Exercise Taking a break from exercise happens to almost everyone. Maybe life got busy, an injury slowed you down, or motivation simply faded. No matter the reason, figuring out how to get back into working out...

The Cost of Waiting: Benefits of Physical Therapy with Early Intervention

The Cost of Waiting: Benefits of Physical Therapy with Early Intervention When pain, stiffness, or limited movement first appear, many people choose to wait it out. The discomfort might seem manageable at first, but delaying care often leads to bigger problems over...

When Should You See a Specialist for Back or Neck Pain?

When Should You See a Specialist for Back or Neck Pain? Back and neck pain can show up in many different ways. For some people, it starts as stiffness in the morning. For others, it appears while walking, bending over, or even breathing. It is important to know when...