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Facet Joint Injections

James A. Nassiri, MD, MA

Pain Management Specialist & Anesthesiologist located in Beverly Hills, CA

Facet Joint Injections in Beverly Hills, Rancho Cucamonga & Newport Beach, CA

If chronic neck or back pain is making it difficult to enjoy daily activities, facet joint injections may provide effective relief. At Westside Pain Specialists, our experienced pain management specialists and anesthesiologists offer advanced facet joint injection treatments to help diagnose and manage pain originating from the small joints of the spine.

We proudly serve patients throughout Beverly Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Newport Beach, and surrounding Southern California communities.

To schedule a consultation, call (310) 273-2000 or visit https://www.westsidepainspecialists.com/schedule.

What Are Facet Joints?

Facet joints are small joints located between the vertebrae of the spine. These joints help provide stability while allowing the spine to bend, twist, and move freely.

Over time, facet joints can become irritated, inflamed, or damaged due to:

  • Arthritis
  • Age-related wear and tear
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal injuries
  • Repetitive stress
  • Poor posture

When facet joints become inflamed, they can cause chronic neck pain, upper back pain, or lower back pain.

What Are Facet Joint Injections?

Facet joint injections are minimally invasive procedures that deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into or around the affected facet joints.

These injections serve two important purposes:

Diagnostic Benefits

Facet joint injections can help determine whether the facet joints are the primary source of your pain.

Therapeutic Benefits

By reducing inflammation within the joint, facet injections may provide significant pain relief and improved mobility.

Many patients experience meaningful symptom improvement following treatment.

Conditions Treated with Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections are commonly used to treat:

Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome occurs when the spinal facet joints become inflamed or degenerated, resulting in chronic pain and stiffness.

Cervical Facet Joint Pain

Pain originating from facet joints in the neck may cause:

  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain
  • Limited neck movement

Thoracic Facet Joint Pain

Facet joint problems in the middle back may lead to:

  • Upper back pain
  • Pain between the shoulder blades
  • Difficulty twisting or bending

Lumbar Facet Joint Pain

Lower back facet joint pain often causes:

  • Chronic low back pain
  • Stiffness
  • Pain that worsens with standing or bending
  • Reduced mobility

Spinal Arthritis

Facet injections may help patients suffering from osteoarthritis and degenerative changes within the spine.

Symptoms of Facet Joint Pain

Patients with facet joint pain may experience:

  • Chronic neck pain
  • Mid-back pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Spinal stiffness
  • Pain when twisting or bending
  • Pain after prolonged standing
  • Limited range of motion
  • Muscle tension around the spine
  • Localized tenderness

Because these symptoms can overlap with other spinal conditions, proper diagnosis is essential.

What to Expect During a Facet Joint Injection

Facet joint injections are typically performed on an outpatient basis using imaging guidance for precision.

During the procedure:

  1. The treatment area is cleaned and prepared.
  2. A local anesthetic is administered.
  3. Imaging guidance is used to accurately position the needle.
  4. Medication is injected into or around the targeted facet joint.
  5. Patients are monitored briefly before returning home.

Most procedures take less than 30 minutes to complete.

Benefits of Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections offer several advantages for patients experiencing chronic spinal pain, including:

  • Reduced inflammation
  • Improved mobility
  • Relief from neck and back pain
  • Diagnostic information regarding pain sources
  • Minimally invasive treatment
  • Outpatient procedure
  • Potential reduction in pain medication use
  • Improved quality of life

Results vary depending on the underlying condition and severity of symptoms.

How Long Do Facet Joint Injections Last?

The duration of pain relief varies from patient to patient.

Some individuals experience relief for several weeks, while others may benefit for several months. Patients who respond well to facet injections may later be candidates for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which can provide longer-lasting pain relief.

Your provider will discuss the most appropriate long-term treatment strategy based on your response to the injection.

Are Facet Joint Injections Right for You?

You may be a candidate for facet joint injections if you:

  • Experience chronic neck or back pain
  • Have spinal arthritis
  • Have pain that worsens with twisting or bending
  • Have not achieved adequate relief with conservative treatments
  • Need diagnostic evaluation of spinal pain

A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether facet joints are contributing to your symptoms.

Why Choose Westside Pain Specialists?

At Westside Pain Specialists, our board-certified pain management specialists and anesthesiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex spinal pain conditions.

Using advanced imaging guidance, evidence-based treatments, and personalized care plans, we help patients achieve meaningful pain relief while improving mobility and overall function.

Patients throughout Beverly Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Newport Beach, and surrounding Southern California communities trust our team for comprehensive pain management care.

Schedule a Facet Joint Injection Consultation Today

If chronic neck or back pain is affecting your quality of life, facet joint injections may help provide the relief you need.

Call (310) 273-2000 or schedule an appointment online at https://www.westsidepainspecialists.com/schedule to learn whether facet joint injections are right for you.