What are facet joint injections?

Facet joint injections are minimally invasive treatments where a combination of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication is injected directly into the facet joints of the spine. This helps reduce inflammation and provides targeted pain relief for chronic back or neck pain.

Who can benefit from facet injections?

Facet injections are ideal for patients with persistent back or neck pain caused by arthritis, spinal stenosis, or irritation in the facet joints, especially if other treatments haven’t provided enough relief.

How long does pain relief from facet injections usually last?

Many patients experience pain relief for several weeks to several months after the procedure. The exact duration depends on the individual’s condition and response to treatment. Repeat injections may be considered if pain returns.

What can I expect during and after the procedure?

Facet injections are performed on an outpatient basis, typically with minimal discomfort. The procedure is quick, and most patients can return to normal activities the same day, with some noticing pain relief within a few days.

In which cities do you provide facet injection services?

Greater Texas Orthopedic Associates offers facet joint injection services in Arlington, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont. Our expert team is ready to help patients across these Texas locations find effective pain relief.

Can This Procedure Support My Legal Case?

Absolutely. Facet joint injections not only aid recovery but also generate essential medical documentation that supports personal injury cases. GTOA physicians collaborate directly with attorneys to provide reports, imaging results, and expert testimony that help secure fair settlements.

Precision Facet Joint Injections in Texas

At GTOA, our board-certified specialists perform precise facet joint injections to relieve chronic spine pain without surgery. These targeted treatments reduce inflammation and restore mobility, helping patients regain comfort and confidence.Whether you are a patient seeking rapid recovery or an attorney needing objective medical evidence, we provide the elite care and documentation required for success.

✅ Diagnostic and Therapeutic Accuracy: We identify and treat the underlying cause of spinal inflammation.

✅ Attorney-First Approach: We accept LOPs and provide a fast, accurate medical report.

✅ Minimally Invasive: Rapid outpatient procedures using real-time fluoroscopy guidance.

✅ Statewide Access: Professional, well-equipped centers throughout Texas

Strategic Medical-Legal Support

In personal injury litigation, objective evidence is everything. A facet joint injection is more than just a pain management tool; it is a critical diagnostic bridge that correlates a patient’s symptoms directly to the trauma sustained in an accident. At GTOA, we specialize in providing the clinical precision and administrative speed that law firms require to build winning cases.

Objective Diagnostic Evidence

We utilize diagnostic facet blocks to confirm the specific spinal levels affected by the accident. This provides the medical necessity documentation needed to counter "pre-existing condition" arguments from insurance adjusters.

LOP Acceptance & Seamless Billing

We understand the financial dynamics of personal injury cases. GTOA works extensively on a Letter of Protection (LOP) basis, ensuring your clients receive immediate care without up-front costs.

Expedited Medical Records

We know that delays in records mean delays in settlements. Our team is dedicated to providing clear, comprehensive, and timely medical reports that link the injury to the mechanism of the accident.

Expert Credibility

Our board-certified specialists are experienced in providing authoritative medical opinions that hold up under the scrutiny of depositions and trial testimony.

Bridging the Gap Between Recovery and Litigation

We don't just treat the injury; we document the recovery journey with forensic detail. By choosing GTOA for facet joint injections in Texas, you ensure your clients get the best clinical outcomes while your firm receives the elite medical support necessary to maximize the case’s potential.

Is a Facet Joint Injection the Right Solution for You?

When every twist, turn, or bend of your back triggers a sharp ache, the problem often lies in the small stabilizing joints of your spine. A facet joint injection is a dual-purpose procedure designed to stop that cycle of pain. we don’t just mask the symptoms; we use this treatment to pinpoint the exact source of your discomfort and deliver long-term relief.

Why Do Specialists Recommend This Procedure?

We utilize facet injections primarily for patients who have sustained spinal trauma in car accidents or sports injuries. Here is how this treatment addresses specific pathologies:

✅ Identifying the Pain Source (Diagnostic): Not sure why your back hurts? If the pain disappears immediately after the numbing agent is injected, we have confirmed the exact joint causing the issue providing crucial objective evidence for your recovery and your legal case.

✅ Neutralizing Inflammation (Therapeutic): By delivering powerful corticosteroids directly into the inflamed joint, we reduce swelling and “turn off” the pain signals that prevent you from living an active life.

✅ Treating Accident-Related Trauma: From Whiplash in the neck to Lumbar strain in the lower back, these injections are the gold standard for managing post-traumatic spinal stiffness.

✅ Restoring Mobility: This procedure is often the key that unlocks your ability to participate in physical therapy, accelerating your overall healing process.

Targeted Treatment Areas

Spinal injuries are rarely “one size fits all.” Depending on the nature of your accident whether it was a rear-end collision causing whiplash or a heavy fall affecting your lower back the inflammation can occur at different levels of the spine. we provide site-specific facet joint injections to ensure maximum efficacy.

1. Cervical Facet Injections (Neck)

The cervical spine is highly susceptible to “whiplash” injuries during car accidents. When the small joints in your neck are damaged, you may experience chronic headaches, restricted neck rotation, or pain that radiates into your shoulders. Our cervical facet injections help:

Reduce inflammation in the C1-C7 vertebrae.
Eliminate “cervicogenic” headaches.
Restore the ability to turn your head without sharp pain.

2. Thoracic Facet Injections (Mid-Back)

While less common than neck or lower back issues, the thoracic spine (mid-back) can be injured by direct impact or rotational trauma. Thoracic facet pain often feels like a localized ache that worsens with twisting. We use precision guidance to:

Target the T1-T12 joints.
Relieve pain that feels like it is “wrapping” around the rib cage.
Improve postural comfort and deep breathing mechanics.

3. Lumbar Facet Injections (Lower Back)

The lumbar region carries the most weight and is often the site of severe post-traumatic stress. If you find it difficult to stand straight or experience sharp pain when leaning backward, your lumbar facet joints (L1-L5) are likely the culprit. Our specialists provide:

Targeted relief for the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels (the most common injury sites).
Reduction in localized lower back pain that doesn’t respond to rest.
A pathway to avoid invasive lumbar surgery.

Benefits & Outcome Expectations

Choosing a facet joint injection means opting for a faster, non-surgical path to recovery. Our goal is to bridge the gap between immediate pain relief and long-term functional restoration, ensuring that both the patient’s health and the legal case stay on the right track.

Key Benefits of Facet Injections

Immediate Pain Reduction: The numbing agent provides instant relief, while the steroid begins working within 48–72 hours to eliminate deep-seated inflammation.
Avoidance of Major Surgery: For many accident victims, these injections are a highly effective alternative to invasive spinal fusion or laminectomy.
Enhanced Physical Therapy: By “turning off” the pain, patients can participate more effectively in rehabilitation, which is crucial for a full recovery.
Minimal Downtime: As an outpatient procedure, most patients return to their normal daily routine within 24 hours.

What to Expect During Recovery

We believe in transparency. Understanding the healing timeline helps patients stay motivated and keeps attorneys informed on the Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) trajectory:

The First 24 Hours: You may feel slight soreness at the injection site. We recommend resting and avoiding strenuous activity for the remainder of the day.
Days 2-7: As the steroid medication takes effect, you will notice a significant decrease in stiffness and an increase in your range of motion.
Long-Term Outcomes: Relief can last from several months to a year. If the procedure confirms the pain source, it opens the door to long-term solutions like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for permanent results.

Expert Board-Certified Spinal Specialists

At Greater Texas Orthopedic Associates (GTOA), we believe that elite results start with elite expertise. Facet joint injections require a high level of technical skill and anatomical knowledge to ensure both safety and diagnostic accuracy. Our team is comprised of board-certified specialists who have dedicated their careers to interventional pain management and orthopedic excellence.

FAQs About Facet Joint Injections

1. How long does pain relief last after a facet joint injection?

The duration of relief varies by patient. The numbing agent provides immediate relief for several hours, while the steroid medication typically begins working within 2-5 days. For most patients, the anti-inflammatory effects can last from several months up to a year, providing a window for effective physical therapy and healing.

2. Can a facet injection prove my injury was caused by a car accident?

Yes. From a medical-legal perspective, these injections serve as a “diagnostic block.” If the injection successfully eliminates your pain, it provides objective medical evidence that the specific joint was damaged. This correlation helps your attorney link your symptoms directly to the trauma of the accident.

3. Is the procedure painful, and will I be put to sleep?

The procedure is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia, so you will remain awake but comfortable. Most patients describe feeling only a brief “pinch” or a sensation of pressure. Because we use real-time fluoroscopic guidance, the process is quick (usually 15 minutes) and causes minimal discomfort.

4. How soon can I return to work or daily activities?

Most patients can resume light daily activities and return to work within 24 hours. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for the first 48 hours to allow the medication to settle and the injection site to heal properly.

5. What is the difference between an Epidural (ESI) and a Facet Injection?

While both treat spinal pain, they target different areas. An Epidural (ESI) delivers medication into the space around the spinal nerves to treat radiating pain (like sciatica). A facet injection goes directly into the small joints between the vertebrae to treat localized pain caused by twisting, bending, or whiplash-style injuries.

6. Where can I receive facet joint injections, and does GTOA serve all of Texas?

Yes, GTOA provides specialized spinal care statewide. We have state-of-the-art facilities across all major Texas hubs, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Arlington, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi. No matter where you are in the State, our board-certified specialists are accessible to provide expert treatment and medical-legal support.