Introduction
Facet injections are minimally invasive, non-surgical procedures designed to alleviate pain and inflammation in the spine’s facet joints. These joints are situated on the upper and lower parts of each vertebra, linking the vertebrae together to form the spine and facilitating movement in the back. Facet injections specifically target pain originating from these joints and can effectively reduce discomfort in the neck, lower back, and legs.
Pain and inflammation in the facet joints can arise from conditions such as spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, sciatica, arthritis, or herniated discs. If non-invasive methods have failed to ease your spine-related pain, you may be a suitable candidate for facet injections. The procedure involves injecting a combination of corticosteroids and anesthetic into the facet joint capsule or the tissues surrounding it. Facet injections may also serve a diagnostic purpose, helping to determine whether the facet joints are the true source of your discomfort.