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Motionis

Facet Joint Injection

Facet Joint Injection for Neck and Back Pain

Facet joint injections are image-guided procedures used to diagnose and relieve pain originating from the small stabilising joints of the spine. These joints can become painful due to arthritis, degeneration, or repetitive stress.

At Motionis Medicine, facet joint injections are performed as part of a physician-led, diagnosis-first approach using advanced imaging to improve precision and safety.

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Understanding the Procedure

WHAT IS A FACET JOINT INJECTION?

Facet joints are small joints located at each level of the spine that help guide movement and provide stability. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic, they can cause persistent neck or back pain.

A facet joint injection involves delivering a combination of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly into or around the affected facet joint to:

Reduce inflammation

Decrease pain signals

Improve spinal movement

Help confirm whether the facet joint is the primary pain source

Facet joint injections may be used for diagnostic purposes, therapeutic relief, or both.

When Is This Treatment Used?

CONDITIONS TREATED WITH FACET JOINT INJECTIONS

Facet joint injections are most often used when pain is suspected to originate from the facet joints of the spine, commonly associated with conditions such as:

Facet Joint Pain

caused by joint inflammation or degeneration

Neck Pain

related to cervical facet arthritis

Back Pain

driven by lumbar facet joint dysfunction

Spondylolisthesis

involving abnormal spinal movement

Degenerative spinal changes

and age-related arthritis

Facet joint pain is typically worsened by extension, rotation, or prolonged standing.

What to Expect

HOW FACET JOINT INJECTIONS ARE PERFORMED

Facet joint injections are performed using real-time image guidance to ensure precise placement of medication into the targeted facet joint of the spine. On the day of the procedure:

STEP 01

Patient Positioning

Patients are positioned to allow safe access to the affected spinal level.

STEP 02

Local Anesthesia

The skin is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.

STEP 03

Image Guidance

Fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance is used to identify the correct facet joint.

STEP 04

Targeted Injection

Medication is carefully injected into the joint space.

STEP 05

Recovery Monitoring

Patients are monitored briefly before discharge.

The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes. Most patients return home the same day and resume light activity as advised by their physician.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use

ROLE OF FACET JOINT INJECTIONS IN PAIN MANAGEMENT

Facet joint injections may serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, depending on how they are used within a patient’s treatment plan.

Diagnostic role

Temporary pain relief following a facet joint injection helps confirm the facet joint as a contributing source of spinal pain.

Therapeutic role

The anti-inflammatory medication may reduce joint-related inflammation and provide short-term pain relief, allowing improved movement and function.

When diagnostic relief is meaningful but temporary, additional treatments—such as medial branch nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablation—may be considered to provide longer-lasting relief as part of a structured, non-surgical care plan.

Precision and Accuracy

IMAGE GUIDANCE & SAFETY

Using real-time imaging allows the physician to:

Confirm correct needle placement

Avoid nearby nerves and blood vessels

Deliver medication precisely to the intended joint

This approach reflects modern standards in interventional spine care.

Physician Expertise

PHYSICIAN EXPERTISE

Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD

All facet joint injections at Motionis Medicine are performed by Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD, a board-certified interventional pain medicine physician with advanced training in image-guided spine procedures.

Dr. Palvia personally evaluates each patient and determines whether facet joint injections are appropriate as part of a comprehensive, non-surgical treatment plan.

Learn more about Dr. Palvia
RESULTS & EXPECTATIONS

What Outcomes Can Patients Expect?

Response to facet joint injections varies based on the underlying condition. Patients may experience:

Temporary or sustained pain relief

Improved range of motion

Better tolerance for daily activities

Facet joint injections are not curative but can provide meaningful symptom relief and guide further treatment decisions.

RELATED TREATMENTS

Common Follow-up & Combined Therapies

Depending on diagnosis and response, facet joint injections may be followed by or combined with:

Medial Branch Block

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Epidural Steroid Injection

Trigger Point Injection
NON-SURGICAL SPINE CARE OPTIONS

Broader Clinical Approaches

Facet joint injections may be part of a broader non-surgical approach that includes:

Alternatives to Spine Surgery

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Spine Regeneration & Preservation

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FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Questions

Relief may last weeks to months, depending on the severity of joint inflammation.

It can serve both purposes, depending on how it is used in your treatment plan.

Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Local anesthetic is used to minimise discomfort.

In many cases, it can help delay or avoid surgery, but outcomes vary.

Schedule a Spine Evaluation

If neck or back pain is limiting your daily activities, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether a facet joint injection is appropriate.

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