What Is a Facet Joint Injection? A Guide to Treating Chronic Spine Pain
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What Is a Facet Joint Injection? A Guide to Treating Chronic Spine Pain
Chronic neck and back pain is often blamed on discs, but in many cases, the true source is the facet joints.
Facet joint injections are a targeted, minimally invasive way to both diagnose and treat this type of pain.
At Ospina Medical, facet injections are performed with precision and a deep understanding of spinal anatomy to ensure accurate diagnosis and meaningful relief.
What Are Facet Joints?
Facet joints are small joints located along the spine that:
- Provide stability
- Allow controlled movement
- Help guide motion between vertebrae
Over time, they can become irritated due to:
- Arthritis
- Injury
- Repetitive stress
What Is a Facet Joint Injection?
A facet joint injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into or around the joint.
This serves two purposes:
- Diagnostic – confirms the source of pain
- Therapeutic – reduces inflammation and discomfort
What Conditions Do They Treat?
Facet injections are commonly used for:
- Chronic neck or low back pain
- Arthritis of the spine
- Pain that worsens with extension or twisting
What to Expect During the Procedure
- Performed under imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound)
- Quick, typically under 20 minutes
- Minimal downtime
- Most patients return to normal activity the same day.
How Long Do Results Last?
Relief varies:
- Some patients experience weeks to months of improvement
- Others may use the injection to guide next steps, such as radiofrequency ablation
Facet joint injections are not just a temporary fix — they are a critical tool in identifying and treating the true source of spinal pain.