Facet Joint Injections in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale & Peoria, Arizona
What Are Facet Joint Injections?
Your spine is made up of small joints, called facet joints, that help you bend, twist, and move comfortably. Over time, these joints can wear down from arthritis, injury, or simply everyday stress. When that happens, they can become painful, stiff, and inflamed—making it hard to move without discomfort.
A facet joint injection delivers medication directly into these joints to reduce irritation and calm inflammation. At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, with convenient clinics in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria, Arizona, this treatment is one of the ways we help patients get moving again without relying on heavy medications or surgery.
Why Would I Need a Facet Joint Injection?
Facet joint pain is very common, but many people don’t realize it’s the source of their discomfort. If your pain:
- Feels worse when you lean back, twist, or turn your head
- Starts in your back or neck and sometimes spreads to your shoulders, buttocks, or thighs
- Improves when you lean forward or rest
…then your facet joints could be the culprit.
For patients across Arizona, facet injections are often the missing link between frustrating, daily pain and finally getting relief.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Facet joint injections are quick and performed right in our outpatient suites:
- Preparation – We clean the skin and apply numbing medicine so you’re comfortable.
- Guided Placement – Using live X-ray imaging, we guide a thin needle into the facet joint.
- Medication Delivery – A mix of anesthetic and steroid is injected directly into the joint.
- Recovery – You’ll rest for a short time in our clinic before heading home the same day.
The procedure takes about 15–20 minutes. Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours.
Are There Side Effects?
Facet injections are very safe. The most common side effects are temporary soreness at the injection site or mild numbness for a few hours. Rare complications—such as bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction—are very uncommon.
How Do I Know If I Need One?
You don’t need to figure that out on your own. If your pain worsens with movement like leaning back or twisting, and you’ve tried other treatments without long-term relief, facet injections may be the next step. Even if you’ve started care elsewhere, our team in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria can evaluate your condition and recommend what’s best for you.
How Well Do Facet Joint Injections Work?
Many patients in Arizona report pain relief that lasts weeks to months. Sometimes, relief is strong enough to allow better participation in physical therapy, which can improve long-term outcomes. For those who respond well, facet injections can also confirm the source of pain and pave the way for longer-lasting treatments like radiofrequency ablation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the injection hurt?
Most patients feel only mild pressure. The numbing medication makes the process comfortable.
How long does it take to feel relief?
Some patients notice improvement within hours, while for others it may take a few days as the steroid medication reduces inflammation.
Can I drive home afterward?
We recommend arranging for someone to drive you home the first time. By the next day, most people return to normal activities.
Will my insurance cover it?
Most insurance plans in Arizona do cover facet injections, especially if conservative treatments have already been tried.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
If neck or back pain is limiting your life, don’t wait another day. At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, we specialize in advanced treatments like facet joint injections—delivered with care, precision, and compassion.