What Are Facet Joints?

Facet joints are small stabilizing joints at the back of your spine. They can become inflamed
or worn down, leading to chronic back or neck pain, especially with movement or
prolonged sitting or standing.
Conditions treated include:

  • Facet joint arthritis (spondylosis)
  • Mechanical back or neck pain
  • Whiplash-related neck pain
  • Pain aggravated by arching, twisting, or standing

“Facet joint injections help confirm the pain source and provide relief in one simple
procedure.”

How Do Facet Joint Injections Work?

The injection delivers a small amount of steroid and local anaesthetic directly into or around the painful facet joints.
This works by:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Numbing irritated joint linings
  • Allowing better movement and sleep

Sometimes these injections are also used diagnostically to identify whether the facet joints are the true source of pain.

What to Expect During the Procedure

  • You will lie face-down on a procedure table
  • The skin is cleaned and numbed
  • Under X-ray or ultrasound guidance, fine needles are placed over the facet joints
  • Medication is carefully injected into the joint or nearby tissue

The procedure usually takes 15–20 minutes, followed by a short monitoring period.

Benefits of Facet Joint Injections

  • Targeted pain relief in the neck or lower back
  • Helps confirm the source of pain
  • Allows improved participation in physiotherapy
  • May delay or reduce need for surgery
  • Day procedure with minimal recovery time

⏳ Pain relief may begin within days and can last weeks to months.

Is It Safe?

Yes, facet injections are a routine, low-risk procedure when performed by experienced clinicians.

Please inform us if you:

  • Are allergic to steroids or anaesthetics
  • Are taking blood thinners
  • Have an infection or fever
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Side Effects

Common side effects

(may affect more than 1in 10 patients):
  • Temporary soreness or bruising
  • Mild flare-up of pain within 24–48 hours
  • Facial flushing

Uncommon side effects

(may affect up to 10 in 100 patients):
  • Headache or dizziness
  • Infection or bleeding (very rare)

⚠️ Avoid driving or heavy lifting for 24 hours after the procedure.

After the Injection

  • You’ll be observed briefly before being discharged
  • A friend or family member should drive you home
  • Rest the area for the remainder of the day
  • Resume light activities the following day
  • A follow-up appointment may be required in 3 to 6 months.

Our Clinical Perspective

Facet joint injections are particularly useful when:

  • Pain is localised to one part of the spine
  • Imaging shows facet joint wear or inflammation
  • Other treatments (physiotherapy, medication) have not worked


“This procedure can offer focused pain relief and help us decide if further treatments like radiofrequency ablation might help.”