Injections
Lumbar Facet Joint Injections
Lumbar facet joint injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication into the small joints of the lower spine, guided by imaging for precise placement. They treat lower back, hip, and buttock pain that worsens with standing, arching, or twisting, and the response also helps confirm the facet joints as the true source of pain.
Request an AppointmentWhat are Lumbar
Facet Joint Injections?
Lower back pain can come from many structures, including discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and joints, so accurate diagnosis matters before choosing any treatment plan.
Lumbar facet joint injections are minimally invasive, image-guided injections placed into or near the facet joints of the lower spine. They usually contain a local anesthetic that temporarily numbs the area, and may include an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid.
They serve two purposes. Diagnostic: if the numbing medication temporarily reduces your usual pain, it suggests the treated joint is a source of your symptoms. Therapeutic: if a steroid is included, it may reduce inflammation around the joint for longer-lasting improvement.
After the procedure you may be asked to move in ways that normally trigger your pain and track your response in a pain diary, turning one injection into a precise map of where your pain lives.
If the joint is confirmed as the source, Dr. Nair can discuss longer-lasting options, including radiofrequency ablation.
Your response to the numbing medication tells your provider whether the facet joint is genuinely the pain source.
Fluoroscopy and contrast dye confirm the needle's position at the targeted joint before medication is injected.
When effective, improvement often begins within two to five days as the anti-inflammatory takes hold.
A positive result may lead to radiofrequency ablation: longer-lasting relief from the confirmed joint.
Am I a candidate for a lumbar facet joint injection?
When your lower back aches with every twist, the small joints may hold the answer.
Lumbar facet pain can develop from arthritis, injury, repetitive bending or twisting, mechanical stress, or age-related spinal changes. These symptoms don't always confirm facet joint pain. Your provider reviews your history, exam findings, and imaging before recommending treatment.
Localized Lower Back Pain
Pain may feel deep, aching, or sore in the lower back rather than sharp or shooting.
Pain With Bending or Twisting
Discomfort may worsen when bending backward, twisting, or standing for long periods.
Hip or Buttock Discomfort
Facet pain can refer discomfort into the hips, buttocks, or upper legs.
Morning or Activity-Related Stiffness
Stiffness may appear after waking, sitting too long, or changing positions.
Pain That Improves With Rest
Irritation may become more noticeable with movement and ease when the spine is supported or rested.
Difficulty With Daily Movement
Pain may affect walking, climbing stairs, standing upright, or getting in and out of a car.
Common questions about lumbar facet joint injections
They may help determine whether a lumbar facet joint is contributing to your pain. If numbing medication placed into or near the joint temporarily reduces your usual pain, it may suggest the treated joint is a pain source. If a steroid is included, it may also reduce inflammation in some patients.
Why are lumbar facet joint injections helpful?
They may help determine whether a lumbar facet joint is contributing to your pain. If numbing medication placed into or near the joint temporarily reduces your usual pain, it may suggest the treated joint is a pain source. If a steroid is included, it may also reduce inflammation in some patients.
Ready when you are.
Map the Pain.
Then End It.
If your lower back has stopped cooperating, a lumbar facet joint injection can confirm exactly where the pain lives, and what will quiet it.
Prefer to talk? Call (502) 995-4004, answered 24/7.
Medically reviewed by Ajith Nair, M.D., Founder & Medical Director at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed July 2026Updated