The primary goal of facet joint injections is to reduce pain. This is done by injecting a mix of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly into the facet joint. If the injection is successful, the patient should experience pain reduction and increased mobility.
A secondary benefit of facet joint injections is diagnostic eliminations. Some patients may not experience a decrease in joint pain after the injections. If this is the case, it is unlikely the problem is stemming from the facet joints. The patient should consult their doctor post-procedure to discuss the next steps.