How is Facet Joint Injection done?
Facet Joint Injection is a simple, safe, and effective minimally invasive treatment for spinal pain that involves the injection of a steroid medication similar to cortisone into the facet joints in the spine. X-Ray guidance (fluoroscopy) is used to identify the facet joints and to guide needle placement. The injection is performed under local anesthesia and, on occasion, with intravenous sedation. Patients are not deeply sedated or completely asleep for this procedure because it is unnecessary and unsafe to do so. Depending on the location and laterality (side) of the neck or back pain, this procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes to perform, followed by a brief recovery before discharge home.
