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Facet joint injection

Dr Paresh K Desai and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

Facet joint injections are one of the most frequently performed spinal interventional procedures, as both treatment for and diagnosis of radicular pain syndromes.

For equipment and contraindications see spinal interventional procedures.

The typical capacity of facet joint is approximately 2mls. Injection of large volumes can cause capsular disruption, and discharge of the anaesthetic and steroid mixture into adjacent soft tissues, including the epidural space.

Although early studies reported reasonable long term relief of symptoms (20 - 54%) more recent studies have suggested that steroid injection "is of little value". Short term relief is common however (59 - 94%) and therefore it remains a useful procedure especially to confirm the diagnosis.