Facet joint injections are same day procedures and commonly done under local anaesthesia. It is generally performed under fluoroscopy (Type of portable X-Ray)  and sometimes a CT Scan can be used for difficult cases. It can be used to identify the pain generator for back pain (Diagnostic role) and to treat the condition (Therapeutic role).

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You will be admitted on the day of procedure, and after initial checks the procedure will be carried out in the operating theatre. The procedure itself is done under local anaesthesia and sometimes the patient needs sedatives.  Once the local anaesthetic has worked, a needle is passed under X-Ray control towards the facet joint. The position of the needle is confirmed by on X-ray and a cocktail of local anaesthetic and steroids are delivered at and around the facet joint.