Facet Injections

The lumbar facet joints are found along each side of the spinal column at every segment. These joints provide stability and allow the spine to safely bend and twist. They can, however, become a cause of neck and low back pain, typically occurring with arthritis and sometimes trauma.

Facet joint arthritis may be diagnosed on x-ray, MRI, CT, or bone scan. However, normal-appearing joints on imaging do not completely rule out facet joints as a source of pain. A facet joint injection may be recommended to decrease inflammation and pain. The injection commonly consists of corticosteroid and an anesthetic or numbing medicine. If symptoms improve following a facet injection, it provides support for the diagnosis that the facet joint was the source of pain. Radio frequency ablation may also be considered as a nonsurgical injection treatment for chronic facet joint pain.  

Our pain management physicians at Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster will work with you to develop a personalized pain management plan for facet joint pain.

Types of Treatment:

• Physical exam and thorough history to identify factors suggesting facet joint pain
• X-ray, MRI, CT, or bone scan imaging to evaluate facet joint anatomy or damage
• Medications to decrease inflammation and reduce pain
• Physical therapy
• Injection of corticosteroid medication into the facet joint
• Facet joint nerve block injection
• Radio frequency ablation of nerves that transmit chronic facet joint pain

Diagnosis

• Facet Arthritis