Facet Joint Injection

Facet injections are prescribed to relieve degenerative arthritis that affects the small joints in the spine. Facet injections are also done on an outpatient basis under fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance). A steroid medication and an anesthetic are injected into the capsule surrounding the small facet joints of the spine (Fig. 3). These injections are made on the side that is often the most painful and sometimes the treatment may require injections at multiple levels. The injections do not cure the underlying arthritis, but they may give pain relief for up to 3 months. They may be repeated, if good relief is obtained.