Understanding Back Pain and Facet Joint Dysfunction
Chronic back pain affects millions of people across the UK, significantly impacting quality of life and daily functioning. While many cases respond well to conservative management, some patients experience persistent discomfort originating from the facet joints – small stabilising joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae. When these joints become inflamed or degenerate due to arthritis, injury, or mechanical stress, they can generate significant pain that radiates across the back and into the buttocks or legs.
Facet joint syndrome typically presents as localised lower back pain that worsens with extension and rotation movements. Patients often report increased discomfort when standing for prolonged periods or during activities that involve twisting the spine. Diagnosis usually involves a thorough clinical examination combined with imaging studies to rule out other potential causes of back pain.
What Are Facet Joint Injections?
Facet joint injections, also known as facet blocks, are minimally invasive procedures designed to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for patients with confirmed facet joint pathology. The procedure involves injecting a combination of local anaesthetic and corticosteroid medication directly into the affected facet joint or the medial branch nerves that supply sensation to these joints.
Performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to ensure precise needle placement, facet injections serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The immediate pain relief following the local anaesthetic component helps confirm the facet joint as the pain source, whilst the corticosteroid provides longer-term anti-inflammatory benefits that may last several weeks to months.
The Clinical Procedure and Expected Outcomes
Before proceeding with facet injections, patients undergo a comprehensive assessment, similar to evaluations for other musculoskeletal conditions such as trigger finger or tennis elbow versus golfer’s elbow. This ensures that facet injections are the most appropriate intervention for the individual’s specific presentation.
The procedure itself typically takes 15-30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients remain awake throughout, though sedation may be offered for anxious individuals. Following skin sterilisation and local anaesthetic application, a thin needle is advanced under fluoroscopic guidance to the target facet joint. Once correct positioning is confirmed, the medication is slowly injected.
Most patients can return home shortly after the procedure, though driving is not recommended on the same day. Some individuals experience temporary numbness or weakness in the back or legs due to the local anaesthetic, which typically resolves within a few hours. Post-procedure soreness at the injection site is common but generally mild.
Seeking Specialist Care in Portsmouth
For Portsmouth residents experiencing chronic back pain that has not responded adequately to physiotherapy, medication, or lifestyle modifications, facet joint injections may offer significant relief. As with many specialised treatments, accessing timely assessment and intervention can be challenging through conventional NHS pathways. This is one reason why more patients in Portsmouth are turning to private GPs in 2026 for faster access to diagnostic procedures and treatment options.
At Prema Health, our pain management approach integrates conventional medical interventions with holistic support to address both symptoms and underlying factors contributing to chronic pain. If you are struggling with persistent back pain and would like to explore whether facet joint injections might be appropriate for your condition, we encourage you to contact our team for a comprehensive evaluation.