Facet joint injections and medial branch nerve blocks are procedures used to diagnose and manage pain arising from the small joints of the spine. These joints â known as facet joints â can become inflamed or arthritic, leading to pain in the neck, back, or referred areas such as the head, shoulders, or buttocks.
These treatments are
consultant-led and performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance for accuracy and comfort.
Facet joints are pairs of small joints at each level of the spine that help with movement and stability. Over time, they can develop wear and tear (facet joint arthritis), inflammation, or strain â a common cause of ongoing spinal pain.
There are two main approaches to treating this type of pain:
Facet Joint Injections: These involve injecting a combination of local anaesthetic and steroid directly into one or more facet joints to reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief.
Medial Branch Nerve Blocks: Instead of injecting into the joint, this approach targets the medial branch nerves â the small nerves that supply sensation to the facet joints. Local anaesthetic and steroid is placed near these nerves to interrupt the pain signals. If this block significantly reduces your pain, it confirms the facet joint as the pain source. The duration of benefit varies, from short lived, to much longer. If the benefit is significant but not as longer than hoped, radiofrequency denervation can be offered, whereby these nerves are targeted with a needle that applies electricity to heat up and destroy them. The aim here is to provide much longer lasting relief.
These procedures are typically used for:
Both types of injections are performed as outpatient procedures and usually take 20â30 minutes. Youâll lie in a comfortable position and the skin will be numbed. Using live imaging x-ray, your consultant will guide a fine needle to the targeted joint or nerve.
Most people are able to go home the same day and return to light activity within a day or two.
All procedures carry some risks, which will be discussed in detail with you during your consultation. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, and formal consent will always be obtained before any procedure is carried out.
Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether they are possible to drive home from yourself, please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning on driving, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards. Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester â with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
