The patient lies face down on the table. The area of the spine that will be treated (lower back, mid back, upper back) is sterilely cleansed with an antibacterial solution using aseptic techniques. The antibacterial solution usually contains iodine and alcohol. A local anesthetic, like Bupivacaine, is injected into the area to numb the<unk> . The patient might feel a slight sting. Imaging guidance is used to direct the needle into the facet<unk> . The type of imaging system used depends on the preference of the doctor. It is usually fluoroscopy using CT or x-ray guidance. CT fluoroscopy increases the precision of the needle placement. Others may use ultrasound or magnetic resonance guidance. Contrast dye is injected into the facet<unk>  to assure that the needle is in the correct place. Once confirmed, a mixture of an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication, is slowly injected into the<unk> . The needle is then released. The<unk>  can be used to treat any facet<unk>  that is causing pain, so this procedure may need to be repeated for the adjacent facet<unk> s. IV sedation can be used for anxious patients to help them sit still. Doctors try to avoid this because it interferes with a patient’s pain response, which is needed to determine which facet<unk>  is the source of the pain. If the patient chooses to have the sedation, they can’t eat or drink 4–6 hours prior to the procedure.
Facet joint injection
Round ligament pain
Knee effusion
Joint effusion
Ankle flare
Knee pain
Palindromic rheumatism
Facet joint arthrosis