Facet Joint Injection

Your spine is made up of a column of bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are joined together by small facet joints and spongy discs that sit between your vertebrae. Facet joints help to stabilise your spine. As you get older wear and tear, osteoarthritis in your facet joints can cause pain. Often the pain is in another area of your body such as your thigh, buttocks or neck. A facet joint injection is a diagnostic tool to help your consultant confirm that your pain is caused by wear and tear of your facet joints.

80% of patients experience significant benefit from injections, however the duration of benefit is variable and may last a few weeks or months. It can take several weeks for the injections to be effective so you must be prepared to be patient and give it time to work.

We will ask you to keep a record of your pain levels as well as how long the pain relief lasts so your consultant can plan your pain management programme or follow-up treatment.

• Failure of the injection to relieve your pain.
• Worsening pain.
• Backache or feeling bruised.
• Allergic reaction to local anaesthetic.

Rare complications could include:

• Seizures.
• Infection.
• Nerve injury (short or long term).
• Blood clots also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

A facet joint injection usually takes less than 30 minutes and is performed using local anaesthetic to numb the area. Your consultant will carefully insert the needle for your pain relief injection and may inject some dye (colourless contrast fluid) and take an x-ray to confirm the needle is in the right position. Sometimes an ultrasound scanner is used to help guide the needle. You may feel some pressure in the injection area or along a nerve.

You should be able to go home shortly after your injection.

You will not be able to drive so please arrange for someone to take you home. 

Following your procedure, the local anaesthetic will wear off within four to six hours. Pain can be worse for a few days afterwards, but taking simple painkillers will be effective.

Sometimes your back or leg may be stiff, weak, or numb for a few hours after the procedure.

You may experience facial flushing for 24-48 hours post injection.

You should not drive if you have persistent numbness or weakness in your legs at any point after your injection.

You may shower but do not have a bath on procedure day.

You should move around and do your usual activities, provided they are not too strenuous. As your pain improves it is important you start to take regular exercise and begin normal movement.

Please call your consultant, GP or dial 111 for advice if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain.
• New numbness.
• Weakness in your legs.
• A high temperature.
• Any signs of infection, redness or swelling.