Facet Joint Injections

When back pain originates from the facet joints (located in the back of the vertebrae), a specific type of injection called a facet joint injection may reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Doctors use fluoroscopy (X-ray movies) to ensure the needle is correctly placed before the medicines are injected. Alternatively, the nerve that supplies the joint may be blocked with local anesthetics. If adequate pain relief is observed on two occasions, radiofrequency heat lesioning of the nerve branches could provide long term pain relief.

Indications: Back and Neck Pain, Whiplash, Facet Arthropathy