Facet Injections

Facet Injections

Facet Joint Injection procedures are generally done to diagnose and confirm if the facet joints are causing the root of the pain within the body. This procedure takes about 5-10 minutes and can help significantly reduce and alleviate the pain felt in the spine. Healthy facet joints help support the spine while allowing it to bend and twist properly. These joints can become inflamed because of many different conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or even a car accident injury.

This procedure starts when a local anesthetic is inserted into a small region of skin and tissue to numb the areas. Then, we use fluoroscopy to help guide a larger needle into the facet joint. Once the needle is positioned correctly in the facet joint, we insert the joint with a mixture of anesthetics, such as lidocaine or cortisone, to relieve pain. Often, facet joint injections are combined with physical therapy for the best results.

Schedule your appointment today at one of our pain management centers in San Mateo, San Francisco, or Oakland.