Lumbar Facet Joint Injection
If chronic lower back pain is affecting your daily life, a Lumbar Facet Joint Injection may be the right treatment to reduce pain and help you move freely again.
What Type of Back Pain Do You Have?
Back pain generally falls into two main categories, each with a different cause and treatment approach:
- Localized lower back pain (Facet joint pain) Pain is concentrated in the lower back, sometimes radiating into the buttocks. This pattern is typically caused by inflammation or degeneration of the lumbar facet joints — and is the type best suited for a Lumbar Facet Injection.
- Lower back pain with leg radiation (Radicular pain / Sciatica) Pain travels down the leg along a nerve pathway. This is usually caused by nerve root irritation, and is more effectively treated with a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI).
Who Is This Treatment Suitable For?
- Patients with chronic lower back pain that has not improved with physical therapy or medication
- Patients diagnosed with lumbar facet joint inflammation or degeneration
- Patients who need a more precise diagnosis to identify exactly which facet joint is causing the pain
What Is a Lumbar Facet Joint Injection?
A Lumbar Facet Injection involves the direct injection of a local anesthetic combined with a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory medication) into the affected spinal facet joint. The procedure both treats pain and serves as a diagnostic tool — if the injection provides immediate relief, it confirms that the targeted joint is the source of the pain, guiding the next steps in treatment.
The Procedure
The procedure is safe, quick, and takes only 15 to 20 minutes. No general anesthesia is required, and most patients can go home immediately afterward.
- Positioning: The patient lies face-down on the procedure table.
- Image-guided precision: The physician uses real-time X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to precisely locate the affected facet joint.
- Injection: Medication is delivered directly into the joint. Patients may feel mild pressure or a brief sensation of tightness during the injection, which is well-tolerated.
Expected Outcomes
- Immediate effect: The local anesthetic provides rapid pain relief right after the procedure. This immediate response also confirms that the injected joint is the true source of your pain.
- Longer-term effect: The corticosteroid reduces joint inflammation, providing pain relief that can last from several weeks to several months, depending on individual response.
Aftercare and Recovery
- Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the first 24 hours
- Most patients can return to normal daily activities the following day
- Mild soreness at the injection site is normal and typically resolves within 2–3 days
Long-Term Prevention: Protecting Your Lower Back
- Maintain good posture — when sitting, standing, and moving
- Strengthen your core — exercises targeting the back and abdominal muscles reduce load on the spine
- Avoid prolonged static positions — change positions regularly throughout the day
- Use ergonomic furniture — including a supportive chair and an appropriate mattress
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
