Corpus Christi
2701 Morgan Ave #425, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
(361) 444-6044More info about Corpus Christi
Facet Joint Injections
An image-guided injection into or around a spinal facet joint that may be considered for predominantly axial neck or low back pain after clinical evaluation.
- Primary use
- Axial spine pain
- Guidance
- Fluoroscopy
- Setting
- Outpatient
- Access
- 6 Texas clinics
JHMedically reviewed by Dr. John Hall, Pain Management SpecialistLast updated July 2026
Quick overview
Who We Help
Two audiences read this page: the patient considering an interventional option, and the professional coordinating the related care or claim.
Injured patients
Patients with neck or low back pain that stays local rather than radiating, is worse with extension or twisting, and has not responded to therapy and medication.
Attorneys and case managers
Firms coordinating a spine-injury claim that need the clinical indication, treated joints, procedure details, and response documented clearly.
Overview
What Is a Facet Joint Injection?
Facet joints are paired joints at the back of the spine that guide movement. Degenerative change, inflammation, or injury may contribute to predominantly axial neck or low back pain, but no single symptom pattern, examination finding, or imaging study reliably confirms a facet-joint pain source.
An intra-articular facet injection places medication into the joint under image guidance. Depending on the clinical goal, a clinician may instead recommend a medial branch block, which is generally the preferred diagnostic pathway when radiofrequency ablation is being considered. Response varies and must be interpreted with the full clinical record.
Conditions
Conditions and Symptoms It May Address
Facet intervention may be considered for predominantly axial spine pain after other plausible causes have been evaluated.
Facet joint arthropathy or osteoarthritis
Predominantly axial neck pain
Predominantly axial low back pain
Pain aggravated by extension or rotation
Localized paraspinal pain or tenderness
Suspected facet-mediated pain after conservative care
The procedure
How a Facet Joint Injection Works
The exact indication, target joints, medication, preparation, and recovery instructions are confirmed before the procedure.
1
Identifying the target joints
The clinician reviews the pain history, examination, imaging, prior care, and alternative explanations before selecting a joint, level, and side.
2
Positioning and skin anesthetic
Positioning depends on the target region and planned approach. The injection area is cleaned, and local anesthetic is commonly used.
3
Fluoroscopic joint entry
The physician uses fluoroscopic imaging and, when appropriate, contrast to confirm needle placement before medication is delivered.
4
Injection and pain scoring
Medication may include local anesthetic with or without corticosteroid. Pain and function may be assessed before and after according to the clinical plan.
5
Observation and discharge
The patient is monitored and receives individualized activity, medication, warning-sign, pain-tracking, and transportation instructions before leaving.
Practical details
What to Expect
Preparation and recovery vary by target level, medication, medical history, and facility instructions.
Visit
Outpatient
The team confirms check-in, medication, fasting, and transportation instructions before the appointment.
Guidance
Image guided
Fluoroscopy is used to guide placement; contrast may be used unless contraindicated.
Response
Varies
Pain response differs by patient and does not independently establish a diagnosis or treatment pathway.
Follow-up
Clinician guided
The response and any adverse effects are reviewed before another procedure is considered.
Outcomes
Potential Benefits, Risks, and Recovery
The clinician reviews the intended diagnostic or therapeutic role, alternatives, and patient-specific risks before treatment.
1Benefits
May reduce localized neck or low back painMay provide additional clinical informationCan support participation in rehabilitation if symptoms improveResponse helps inform the next clinical step
2Risks
Temporary soreness or an increase in painSteroid-related effects, including blood-sugar elevationBleeding, infection, allergic reaction, or nerve irritationRare neurological or procedure-related complications
3Recovery
Activity follows the discharge instructionsMedication guidance is individualizedPain tracking is completed when requestedFollow-up timing is set by the treating clinician
When to call us. Contact the clinic promptly for fever, spreading redness, drainage, or worsening pain after the procedure. Seek urgent care for new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe headache, or other rapidly worsening neurological symptoms.
Referral workflow
Referral, Documentation, and Communication
GTOA coordinates referral intake, scheduling, available records, and status communication for patients and authorized legal teams.
Initial evaluation report
History, mechanism of injury, examination findings, diagnosis, and the proposed treatment plan.
Clinical and imaging context
Available imaging is considered alongside symptoms, examination findings, prior care, and alternative pain sources.
Clinical correlation
When clinically appropriate, documentation may discuss how the reported incident, findings, and pre-existing conditions relate.
Procedure and response record
The treated joints, approach, guidance, medication, tolerance, and clinically assessed response are documented as appropriate.
Future care recommendations
The clinician may document additional evaluation, rehabilitation, diagnostic blocks, or treatment that should be considered.
Response times
Scheduling and records timing depend on location, clinical need, authorization, record availability, and clinician review. The team confirms the next step for each request.
Referral requestReviewed by the team
SchedulingBased on clinical and authorization needs
Procedure notesAvailable after clinician review
Records requestsConfirmed for each request
Status communicationProvided at key milestones
Cost & coverage
Insurance, Payment, and Case Coordination
Coverage and payment arrangements vary. Contact the team before scheduling so eligibility, authorization, and current options can be confirmed.
Health insurance
Contact GTOA to verify current plan participation, benefits, and any authorization requirements before the procedure.
Qualified injury cases
Lien-based arrangements may be available for qualifying personal injury cases. The team confirms eligibility and terms for each referral.
Self-pay
Patients paying directly can contact the office for current pricing and available payment arrangements.
Why GTOA
Why Choose GTOA?
The same six reasons matter to a patient choosing a clinic and to a firm choosing where to send a client.
01
Clinical assessment first
Symptoms, examination findings, available imaging, prior care, and alternative pain sources are reviewed before intervention is recommended.
02
Image-guided placement
Facet procedures are performed with fluoroscopic guidance; contrast may be used when appropriate.
03
Procedure matched to purpose
The clinician distinguishes an intra-articular injection from a medial branch block and selects the approach for the clinical goal.
04
Clear procedure record
Documentation can identify the indication, treated joints, approach, guidance, medication, response, and follow-up plan.
05
Coordinated communication
Patients and authorized legal teams can contact GTOA about scheduling, status questions, and available records.
06
Six Texas clinics
Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Arlington, and Corpus Christi provide access to GTOA care across Texas.
Department
Pain management
Other departments
Request care or refer a client
Patients can request care through Contact Us, and legal teams can begin a referral through the For Attorneys page.
Main branch(409) 600-8707
Medical review
Facet injection specialist
The physician responsible for the medical review of this page.
Our branches
Find a clinic near you
Corporate office: 324 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, TX 77707
Arlington
907(A) Medical Center Drive, Arlington, TX 76012
(409) 600-8690More info about ArlingtonDallas
8330 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite B400, Dallas, TX 75243
(469) 673-3064More info about DallasSan Antonio
7220 Louis Pasteur Drive, Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 468-3440More info about San AntonioHouston
8928 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
(409) 600-8690More info about HoustonBeaumont (Corporate HQ)
324 North 23rd St, Beaumont, TX 77707
(409) 600-8707More info about Beaumont (Corporate HQ)Related care
Related Services
Services that may support diagnosis or treatment when facet-mediated pain is suspected or another spine pain source is identified.
For patients
A facet injection targets a spinal joint and may be considered for predominantly axial pain. An epidural injection places medication in the epidural space and is generally considered for radicular symptoms. The clinician determines which pathway fits the findings.
For attorneys and case managers
No single history, examination, or imaging finding reliably diagnoses facet-mediated pain. The clinician considers the full record and may use a diagnostic block when appropriate.