Facet Joint Injection

A facet joint injection is used to help people with lower back pain and sometimes leg pain, when the source of the pain is irritation or inflammation in the facet joints.

Facet joints are small joints along the spine that guide movement and help keep the spine stable. They’re located in the neck, upper back and lower back. These joints can become painful due to arthritis, injury or ongoing mechanical stress.

The aim of the injection is to reduce inflammation inside the joint and help ease your pain so you can move more comfortably.

Your doctor may recommend a facet joint injection for two main reasons.

Treatment:
The injection can calm inflammation inside the facet joint. This may provide meaningful pain relief that can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Reducing pain often helps you move more comfortably and return to normal activities or physiotherapy.

Diagnosis:
The injection also contains a local anaesthetic. If your pain improves shortly after the injection, it suggests the facet joint is the source of your symptoms. This helps your doctor confirm the diagnosis and decide on the best next steps for your care.

A radiologist performs the procedure using CT guidance to ensure accuracy. You’ll be asked to lie face down on the CT table and the skin over the injection site will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.

A small needle is then guided into the facet joint using CT images to confirm the exact position. Once the needle is in place, a mixture of cortisone and local anaesthetic is injected. Sometimes more than one joint needs to be treated, so you may receive more than one injection.

You might feel some brief discomfort until the local anaesthetic starts working. The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The cortisone begins to take effect after two to three days and pain relief commonly lasts between three and six months.

All medical procedures carry some level of risk, although complications from facet joint injections are uncommon. You may feel some discomfort at the injection site or notice a short-term increase in pain afterward. This is usually due to temporary pressure from the injected fluid and settles as the medication starts to work.

More serious complications are very rare but can include nerve irritation or damage from the needle, infection, bleeding, or a reaction to the medications used. Your radiologist will take every precaution to minimise these risks and will discuss any concerns you may have before the procedure.

It’s best to have someone drive you home after the procedure. If the local anaesthetic provides immediate pain relief, it will usually last only four to six hours. This early relief is important for diagnosis, so please record how much improvement you notice. If you’re given a pain chart, complete it and bring it to your next appointment with your doctor.

Mild bruising or soreness at the injection site is common. Applying ice and taking paracetamol can help. Some people experience a temporary increase in pain or stiffness, which usually settles within 48 hours.

Avoid strenuous activity or exercise for up to a week, or follow the specific advice your doctor gives you. When it’s safe to resume normal activities will depend on your condition and treatment plan.

If you develop a fever, increasing pain, swelling or warmth at the injection site more than 48 hours after the procedure, contact your doctor promptly.

Please bring the following items to help us process your appointment smoothly and ensure we have all the information we need:

• Your referral from your doctor or health care professional

• Your Medicare card

• Your Pension or Concession card, if you have one

• Any previous scans or X-rays related to your condition

• WorkCover or Motor Vehicle Accident claim details, including your claim number and the name of your employer or insurer, if this applies to you

Having these documents ready helps us provide accurate, timely care.