Facet Injection

Lying on your stomach, your lower back will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution, and the skin will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Using fluoroscopy guidance, the radiologist will direct a small needle into the appropriate facet joint(s). A small amount of contrast will be injected to assure proper placement of the needle. Next, a local anesthetic and steroid medication will be injected slowly into and around the joint. You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort.

The period of relief following the injection varies from patient to patient. Because lumbar and thoracic facet injections are minimally invasive procedures, complications are rare but possible:

• Temporary weakness or numbness if the anesthetic spreads around the nerves coming from the spine
• Pneumothorax, where the needle may inadvertently puncture the lung and cause the lung to collapse. This is rare and may only occur during a thoracic facet injection
• A rare adverse reaction to the contrast material used which contains iodine

No preparation is required, but you must arrange to have someone drive you home after the appointment. Please inform your doctor and the radiologist if you are allergic to iodine, contrast material or X-ray dye so that you can be pre-medicated. Also, be sure to bring any previous X-ray, MRI or CT images/reports to your appointment.

One of our subspecialized physicians will review your scan and send a report to your physician. Your physician will contact you to discuss the results.

Carolinas Medical Center
CMC - Mercy
Atrium Health Pineville
Atrium Health University City
Carolinas Imaging Services - Morrocroft
Carolinas Healthcare System - NorthEast

This procedure requires a physician referral. Typically your referring physician will schedule an appointment for you. If you have been asked to schedule the appointment yourself, please have your physician's order and any pre-authorization information required by your insurance or health plan provider in hand, and call 704-442-4390.

Please check with your insurance plan to confirm that the procedure is covered. You may be responsible for all or a portion of the bill.  Payment may be required at the time of service. For questions regarding insurance coverage, and/or billing please call 704-362-7020.