What is a facet joint injection?

A facet injection is an injection used to relieve swelling and inflammation of the facet joints, according to OhioHealth MedCentral Hospitals. Facet joints are the joints located between the vertebrae, the small bones in the spine.

Facet joint injections are usually given to patients who have chronic neck or back pain and also have thickened or arthritic facet joints, states OhioHealth MedCentral Hospitals. Each injection contains a steroid medication and a local anesthetic. It usually takes 10 to 20 minutes to administer a facet joint injection. The doctor administering the injection numbs the area with a local anesthetic and uses an X-ray machine to guide the placement of the needle.