If you’ve been living with chronic back or neck pain, you know how much it can limit your daily activities—from sitting comfortably to turning your head or standing for long periods. One often-overlooked source of spine-related pain comes from the facet joints, which help stabilize the vertebrae and allow smooth movement. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic, they can cause significant pain and stiffness. Fortunately, facet joint injections offer an effective, minimally invasive treatment to help diagnose and relieve this pain.

What Are Facet Joints?

Facet joints are small, paired joints located between each set of vertebrae in your spine. They help guide and limit motion, providing stability while still allowing flexibility. Like other joints in the body, facet joints are lined with cartilage and surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial fluid for smooth movement.

Over time, wear and tear, injury, or arthritis can lead to inflammation in these joints, resulting in facet joint syndrome—a common cause of chronic back or neck pain.

What Is a Facet Joint Injection?

A facet joint injection involves delivering a combination of a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid directly into the affected joint. This injection serves two main purposes:

• Diagnosis: If the injection temporarily relieves your pain, it helps confirm that the facet joints are indeed the source of discomfort.
• Therapy: The corticosteroid helps reduce inflammation, providing longer-lasting pain relief and improved mobility.

The procedure is performed using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to ensure precise placement of the needle and medication.

What Conditions Can Facet Joint Injections Help Treat?

• Arthritis or degenerative changes in the spine
• Injury-related inflammation after whiplash or trauma
• Chronic neck or back pain that worsens with movement or posture
• Facet joint syndrome
• Spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease (as part of a broader treatment plan)

What to Expect During the Procedure

Facet joint injections are typically performed on an outpatient basis and take about 15–30 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:

1. You’ll lie face down on a procedure table.
2. The skin over the injection site will be cleaned and numbed.
3. Using X-ray guidance, your provider will insert a thin needle into the facet joint.
4. A small amount of contrast dye ensures accurate placement.
5. The anesthetic and steroid medication are then injected.
6. You’ll rest briefly after the procedure and may be asked to track your pain relief over the following hours and days.

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure and can return to light activities shortly after.

How Long Does Pain Relief Last?

Pain relief from facet joint injections varies. Some patients experience relief for weeks to several months, while others benefit for even longer. The results depend on the severity of joint inflammation, underlying spinal conditions, and overall health.

For those who respond well but whose pain later returns, the injections can be safely repeated as part of a personalized pain management plan.

Benefits of Facet Joint Injections

• Minimally invasive: No surgery or long recovery time required
• Quick results: Many patients notice relief within a few days
• Diagnostic value: Confirms whether facet joints are the pain source
• Improved mobility: Reduces stiffness and allows for easier movement
• Supports rehabilitation: Makes physical therapy and exercise more effective

When to Consider Facet Joint Injections

If you’ve tried conservative treatments—like medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care—but still experience persistent back or neck pain, a facet joint injection may be the next step. They are especially useful for patients whose pain:

• Is localized to the spine (not radiating into arms or legs)
• Worsens when bending or twisting
• Improves temporarily with rest or medication

A pain management specialist can evaluate your symptoms and imaging results to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.

Takeaway

Facet joint injections are a safe and effective option for diagnosing and treating pain caused by inflamed or arthritic facet joints. By reducing inflammation and improving mobility, these injections can help patients return to daily activities with less discomfort and greater ease. If chronic spine pain has been limiting your life, talk to a pain management specialist about whether facet joint injections could be right for you.