Lumbar Facet Joint Block

  • In order to block one or more of the small joints that run along the edges of each vertebra on both sides of the spine in the lower region of the back, a local anesthetic (numbing medication) is injected into one or more of the joints. 
  • Depending on how many joints are involved, many injections may be administered. 
  • Patients who suffer from mechanical low back pain or arthritic changes in the facet joints frequently request facet joint blocks.

Indications

Facet joint injections are frequently used to treat and diagnose facet joint discomfort (also referred to as lumbar spondylosis or zygapophyseal joint pain)

  • Chronic low back pain
  • Intractable neck pain
  • Low back pain with normal imaging
  • Whiplash-related neck pain
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome without signs of arachnoiditis or recurrent disc disease
  • Rupture of the synovial cyst in the facet joint 
  • Vertebral compression fracture
  • Symptomatic spondylolysis

Complications

  • Image-guided facet joint injection complications are quite uncommon. 
  • These include intrathecal injection, epidural abscess, meningitis, pneumothorax, hematoma, excessive bleeding, nerve root irritation, vasovagal reactions, facet capsule rupture, psoas abscess, dural puncture, vertebral artery damage (reported in cervical injections), and phrenic nerve palsy (reported in cervical injections). 

Sacro Iliac Joint

Lumbar Facet Joint

L5 Dorsa Ramus



Facet Joint Opening


Course Calendar & Discounts

Sign up for Live and Online Training Events, Coupons, Free Educational Content and more!

Thank You

References

and Interesting Articles

  • Le DT, Alem N. Facet Joint Injection. [Updated 2022 Jun 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572125/
  • Peh W. Image-guided facet joint injection. Biomed Imaging Interv J. 2011 Jan-Mar;7(1):e4. doi: 10.2349/biij.7.1.e4. Epub 2011 Jan 1. PMID: 21655113; PMCID: PMC3107686.
  • Kim BR, Lee JW, Lee E, Kang Y, Ahn JM, Kang HS. Intra-articular facet joint steroid injection-related adverse events encountered during 11,980 procedures. Eur Radiol. 2020 Mar;30(3):1507-1516. doi: 10.1007/s00330-019-06483-3. Epub 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31712959.

Disclaimer

Continuing Medical Education and Board Review

This Podcast, website and any content from NRAP Academy (PMRexam.com) otherwise known as Qbazaar.com, LLC is  for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. Professionals should conduct their own fact finding, research, and due diligence to come to their own conclusions for treating patients. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.


Check out our other CME Board Reviews!