These injections go into the joints around the spine and contain a local anaesthetic to provide pain relief and a steroid to reduce inflammation in the area. These injections can be used to treat back pain and help determine if your facet joints are the cause of your back pain.  Facet joints act to stabilise your spine and help control movement by linking the bones (vertebrae). They are separated by discs, which act as a unit allowing your spine to bend. It is natural that they become more prone to wear and tear injuries due to ageing and are a common cause of back pain issues.