Facet Joint Injection and Nerve Ablation Treatment for Back Pain

What Are Facet Joints in the Spine?

Facet joints are small joints located at the back of the spine. They play an important role in providing spinal stability and flexibility, helping the spine move smoothly during bending, twisting, and everyday activities.

Causes of Facet Joint Pain

Like other joints in the body, facet joints are exposed to normal wear and tear with aging. Over time, this can lead to degeneration of the joints, which may cause back pain.

Additional factors that can increase stress on facet joints include:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor sitting posture
• Obesity
• Trauma such as whiplash injury while driving
• Arthritis

Facet joint pain may occur along with spinal disc disease and can sometimes be a cause of persistent back pain after spine surgery.

Symptoms of Facet Joint–Related Back Pain

(Suggested image: Patient experiencing pain during movement)

Common symptoms of facet joint pain include:

• Morning stiffness, especially when getting out of bed
• Pain during twisting movements of the spine
• Increased discomfort when changing posture, such as moving from sitting to standing or turning in bed

Facet Joint Injection for Back Pain

Facet joint injection is an advanced, non-surgical pain management procedure used to treat back pain caused by facet joints.

The procedure is:

• Performed in an operation theatre
• Done under image guidance (fluoroscopy) for improved accuracy and safety
• Conducted as a day-care procedure
• Performed under local anaesthesia

Nerve Ablation for Facet Joint Pain

Nerve ablation is another non-surgical pain treatment option used to relieve pain arising from facet joints. Like facet joint injections, it is performed using image guidance and does not require hospital admission.

Benefits of Facet Joint Injection and Nerve Ablation

Advantages of these pain management procedures include:

• Faster pain relief
• Minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment
• Quick recovery
• Reduced dependence on pain medications

When to Consult a Pain Specialist

If you have chronic or recurring back pain, morning stiffness, or pain that worsens with movement, facet joint–related pain may be a possible cause. A pain specialist can help evaluate your condition and discuss appropriate treatment options.

To know more, consult Precision Pain Clinic today.