Facet Joint Injections in Louisiana
The facet joints on both sides of the back of the spine can become painfully irritated or inflamed. A facet joint injection can help diagnose the source of your pain and relieve pain and inflammation. LA Pain Doctor provides image-guided facet joint injections in the neck and back for patients in Metairie, LaPlace, Harvey, Hammond, and Lutcher, LA.
Request an AppointmentHow Facet Joint Injections Work
Each level of your spine has a pair of facet joints that allow you to bend, twist, and turn. When these joints become arthritic or injured, they can cause localized pain and stiffness, often from Facet Joint Syndrome. A facet joint injection delivers a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid directly into the joint capsule or alongside it. The anesthetic provides quick relief and confirms whether the joint is a source of pain, while the steroid reduces inflammation over the following days.
Who May Benefit
- Patients with chronic neck or lower back pain that worsens with twisting or leaning back
- Those with spinal arthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease
- Patients with neck pain or headaches after Whiplash
- People who have not improved with medication, rest, or physical therapy
What to Expect
You will lie face down on the procedure table. After the skin is numbed, your provider uses fluoroscopic guidance to direct a thin needle into the targeted facet joint, using contrast dye to confirm placement. The medication is injected, and the needle is removed. Most procedures take 15 to 30 minutes.
You may feel some immediate relief from the anesthetic. The steroid usually begins working within two to five days, and many patients experience relief for weeks or months. You can typically return to normal activities the next day.
Next Steps if Pain Returns
If a facet joint injection relieves your pain but the effect wears off, your provider may recommend a medial branch block followed by radiofrequency ablation, such as cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy, for longer-lasting results. Nerve-related pain that travels down the arms or legs may respond better to cervical epidural steroid injections or lumbar epidural steroid injections. Explore our neck pain treatment and lower back pain treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facet Joint Injection
What is a facet joint injection used for?
It is used to relieve neck and back pain caused by irritated or arthritic facet joints and to confirm whether those joints are the source of pain.
How long does a facet joint injection last?
Relief typically lasts weeks to several months, depending on the cause and severity of your pain.
Is the procedure painful?
The skin is numbed first, and most patients feel only pressure or mild discomfort during the injection.
How is it different from a medial branch block?
A facet joint injection places medication into the joint itself, while a medial branch block numbs the nerves that carry pain from the joint.
Can facet injections be repeated?
Yes. If an injection helps, it can be repeated a few times per year when appropriate.
What should I do after the injection?
Rest for the remainder of the day and resume normal activities the next day unless your provider advises otherwise.
Where can I get a facet joint injection?
LA Pain Doctor performs facet joint injections at our offices in Metairie, LaPlace, Harvey, Hammond, and Lutcher, LA. Call (504) 229-4866 - Metairie Office , (504) 229-4866 - Laplace Office , (504) 229-4866 - Harvey Office , (504) 229-4866 - Hammond Office or (504) 229-4866 - Lutcher Office to schedule.
Ease Neck and Back Joint Pain
Find relief from inflamed facet joints. Call (504) 229-4866 - Metairie Office , (504) 229-4866 - Laplace Office , (504) 229-4866 - Harvey Office , (504) 229-4866 - Hammond Office or (504) 229-4866 - Lutcher Office or request an appointment online today.