Facet Injection

Facet Joint Injection	Medial Branch Injection (as a test) *

* A facet joint is a joint located between the bones of your spine that allows your spine to bend and twist. Sometimes, an injury such as whiplash can injure the joints and result in chronic pain in your back. For others, arthritis changes of the joints can result in chronic pain. A set of FNB’s are performed if we suspect that your pain may be originating from the small facet joints of your spine. Diagnostic (test) injections are for diagnosis only, and not for permanent relief. If the FNB’s are successful in temporarily alleviating a large percentage of your pain, we may repeat the procedures again to reconfirm that your pain is originating from the joints of your spine. If you again achieve temporary relief, a more definitive procedure, radiofrequency rhizotomy, can be performed which should give long lasting relief. Radiofrequency rhizotomies involve using a special needle to "burn" or stun the tiny nerves going to the joints, so as to block the pain sensations originating from them for a long time.

Cervical Facet	Lumbar Facet