Are you struggling with persistent neck or lower back stiffness that worsens when you twist or bend? This may be facet joint syndrome, a common spinal arthritis.
Our double board-certified pain management doctors in Oklahoma City specialize in facet joint injections, a precise procedure designed to diagnose the source of your pain and provide lasting relief. Start your journey to a pain-free life.
What Are Facet Joints and How Do They Cause Back Pain
Facet joints connect each vertebra to the one above and below, acting like hinges that let you twist and bend while keeping your spine stable. Over time, arthritis, wear-and-tear, or injury can break down the cartilage in these joints, leading to inflammation and pain known as facet joint syndrome. In fact, lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis accounts for 15–45% of low back pain cases.
Unlike herniated disc pain that may radiate down the leg, facet joint pain is usually felt directly in the spine, whether in the neck, mid-back, or lower back. Many patients describe it as a deep, localized ache with stiffness that makes bending or twisting difficult.
At our Oklahoma City clinic, facet joint injections help both identify the source of pain and deliver targeted pain relief.
How Facet Joint Injections Provide Targeted Back Pain Relief
A facet joint injection is a straightforward outpatient procedure combining a local anesthetic and corticosteroid delivered directly into the affected joint.
- Accurate Diagnosis: The anesthetic temporarily numbs the joint. If pain improves, it confirms the facet joint as the source, ensuring correct treatment. The clinical effectiveness of diagnostic facet joint injections has been demonstrated using controlled comparative local anesthetic blocks.
- Effective Treatment: The corticosteroid reduces inflammation and addresses the root cause of the pain, providing relief that can last for several months. Research indicates that facet joint injections can effectively relieve pain for at least three months in responsive patients.
At our Oklahoma City clinic, we use fluoroscopic guidance to place the needle precisely in the joint. This ensures safe and effective delivery, a hallmark of our interventional pain management.
Who Can Benefit from Facet Joint Injections in Oklahoma City
Facet joint injections are ideal for patients with spinal arthritis or facet joint syndrome. You may benefit if you:
- Have a persistent, dull ache in your neck or lower back
- Experience worsening pain with backward bending or twisting
- Notice stiffness, especially after rest or in the morning
- Feel localized tenderness along the spine
- Have not found sufficient relief with medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care
If a diagnostic injection confirms the joint as the pain generator, longer-lasting treatments such as radiofrequency ablation can be considered. This procedure calms the nerves supplying the facet joint and can provide relief for a year or more.
What to Expect During a Facet Joint Injection in Oklahoma City
We prioritize comfort and safety. The procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes:
- Preparation: You lie comfortably while the skin over the injection site is cleansed and numbed
- Guided Precision: Using fluoroscopy, the doctor directs a thin needle into the facet joint
- Injection: A small mixture of an anesthetic and a corticosteroid is delivered
No general anesthesia or hospital stay is needed. After a short rest, you go home with a companion to drive you. Most patients notice relief within a few days as the corticosteroid reduces inflammation. Our team provides aftercare instructions to maximize and prolong results.
Benefits of Facet Joint Injections for Back Pain Relief
Facet joint injections offer more than temporary relief. They improve function, mobility, and overall quality of life. Patients in Oklahoma City choose this treatment for several reasons:
- Targeted Pain Relief: Treats the exact source of discomfort
- Minimally invasive: Outpatient procedure with little downtime
- Reduced Need for Medications: Helps patients minimize long-term use of pain medications
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic: Confirms the pain source while providing relief
Schedule Your Facet Joint Injection in Oklahoma City Today
Living with arthritic back pain does not have to be your new normal. Facet joint injections are a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat your pain accurately. At Comprehensive Spine and Pain, our board-certified Oklahoma City pain management doctors create personalized treatment plans to restore mobility and comfort.
If you are ready to address the root cause of your back or neck pain, contact us today. Let our team help you move with confidence and live pain-free again.
Serving Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, and communities throughout central Oklahoma.
Comprehensive Spine and Pain – Oklahoma City