The facet are small joints in our spine that provide stability and help guide motion. Any irritation or inflammation can cause a lot of pain in the facet joint. The pain is unbearable, and it can stop you from indulging even in normal activities like walking or sitting.
Facet injection is a way to relieve your spine from the pain. During the procedure, the doctor uses the X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to direct the needle into the facet joint. Then either a local anesthetic or a steroid medication is injected in the facet joints. This is diagnostic and also therapeutic respectively. The pain is expected to be reduced within the first few hours following the procedure.
For more information, consult Dr. Stanley O Ikezi, an experienced Double Board Certified Pain Management Specialist in New York City.