Facet Joint Injections: What to Expect, Benefits & Recovery

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What Are Facet Joint Injections?

Facet joints are small, stabilizing joints located between each pair of vertebrae along the entire length of the spine. These joints allow your spine to flex, twist, and bend while maintaining structural stability. When facet joints become inflamed — due to arthritis, injury, or repetitive stress — they can cause localized pain in the back or neck that worsens with movement. Facet joint injections deliver a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid medication directly into the affected joint, providing both diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic relief.

How They Work

During a facet joint injection, Dr. Kerschner uses fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance to ensure precise needle placement into the targeted joint. A small amount of contrast dye confirms the correct position before the medication is administered. The local anesthetic provides immediate, temporary pain relief, while the corticosteroid works over the following days to reduce inflammation. If the injection significantly reduces your pain, it confirms the facet joint as the source — making this procedure both a diagnostic tool and a treatment in one visit.

Benefits of Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections offer several important advantages for patients with spinal pain. They provide targeted relief by delivering medication precisely where it is needed, unlike oral medications that affect the entire body. The procedure is minimally invasive, requiring only a needle insertion with no incisions or stitches. Most patients experience rapid improvement within days. The diagnostic value is equally significant — by confirming whether the facet joint is the pain source, Dr. Kerschner can plan more effective long-term treatments such as radiofrequency neurotomy. These injections can also reduce dependence on pain medications and help patients participate more actively in physical therapy.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The procedure takes approximately 15–30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis at our Naples clinic. You will lie face down on a procedure table while the skin is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. Using real-time fluoroscopic imaging, Dr. Kerschner guides a thin needle into the facet joint and injects the medication. Most patients report only mild pressure during the injection. You will be monitored briefly afterward before being released to go home the same day.

Recovery & Results

Recovery from facet joint injections is straightforward. You may experience mild soreness at the injection site for one to two days, which can be managed with ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients resume normal activities the following day. The corticosteroid typically reaches its full effect within three to seven days, with pain relief lasting weeks to months. If the injection provides significant but temporary relief, Dr. Kerschner may recommend radiofrequency neurotomy for longer-lasting results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does pain relief from facet joint injections last?

Relief varies by patient but typically lasts from several weeks to several months. If relief is temporary, radiofrequency neurotomy can provide longer-lasting results of 6–12 months or more.

Are facet joint injections safe?

Yes, facet joint injections are considered very safe when performed by an experienced physician using fluoroscopic guidance. Risks are minimal and may include mild soreness, bruising, or very rarely, infection.

How many facet joint injections can I receive?

Typically, up to three injections per area per year are recommended. Dr. Kerschner will determine the appropriate treatment frequency based on your individual response.

Will I be put to sleep for the procedure?

No, facet joint injections are performed under local anesthesia. You will be awake and able to communicate throughout the procedure, which helps confirm the diagnosis.

Advanced Pain & Spine Institute · 239-307-7087