Facet Joint Injection

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What is a facet joint injection?

A facet joint injection involves injecting local anaesthetics and sometimes steroids into or around a facet joint. The local anaesthetics numb the nerves to the facet joint to give pain relief. The steroids reduce inflammation and may make the pain relief last longer.

What are the benefits of a facet joint injection?

A facet joint injection can be used to find out if your pain is caused by your facet joints.

Are there any alternatives to the injection?

An x-ray or scan can show if you have osteoarthritis in one or more of your facet joints.

If you decide not to have an injection, your doctor may be able to suggest other methods of pain relief. You may need more painkillers that are more likely to make you feel sick or drowsy.

What does the procedure involve?

A facet joint injection usually takes less than 30 minutes. Your doctor may use an x-ray to guide them while they give the injection.

Your doctor will carefully insert the needle for the injection. They may inject dye (colourless contrast fluid) and take an x-ray to help them to check that the needle is in the right position. Sometimes your doctor will use an ultrasound scanner to help guide them while they insert the needle.

How soon will I recover?

After a short while you should be able to go home.

Rest if you feel tired.

You should be able to return to normal activities the next day.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.

  • Failure of the injection to relieve your pain
  • Worsening pain
  • Backache
  • Allergic reaction
  • Seizures
  • Infection around your spine
  • Short-term nerve injury
  • Visual disturbance or loss of vision
  • Long-term nerve injury
  • Blood clot around your spine

Availability

NHS/Private

Pricing*

Consultant
£175
Anaesthetist
-
Hospital
£2075
Prices start from
£2250

*The prices shown are minimum guide prices only. Diagnostic scans and investigations are not included unless otherwise stated. The exact cost of treatment will be made clear to you before you proceed.

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.

A facet joint injection can be used to find out if your pain is caused by your facet joints, or to treat pain in your facet joints.

What to do next
  1. Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
  2. If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
  3. Call us to book an appointment with a consultant.
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I can’t thank everyone enough for the amazing care given. Such lovely attentive nurses. I will definitely recommend St Hughs and Mr Riaz and his team. Brilliant hospital.

Could not fault anything about my stay in St Hughs. Everybody was wonderful. Thank you all.

Everybody was kind, considerate and a jolly bunch, which helps to put you at ease and gives you confidence in knowing that they know what they are doing. 5 stars.

All staff extremely kind, patient and friendly. A credit to the hospital. Thank you.

Very good hospital and very good staff. I have never met so many caring people in one place. The nursing was 1st class. The encouragement to walk was also very good.

I had an amazing experience during my time at St Hugh’s Hospital, from my initial consultation to the aftercare following my procedure. Communication with the cosmetic nurse was brilliant; every member of staff I met was kind respectful, caring and polite. My surgeon was fantastic, so professional and kind, I trusted his knowledge completely.