Facet joint injections are a targeted treatment for chronic back and neck pain caused by inflamed or degenerative facet joints. At Keith Schmidt, MD in Hoffman Estates, IL, we use fluoroscopic guidance to deliver anti-inflammatory medication and anesthetic directly into the affected facet joint, providing precise relief where you need it most.
How Facet Joint Injections Work
The facet joints are small joints located along the back of your spine that provide stability and allow movement. When these joints become inflamed due to arthritis, injury, or degeneration, they can cause significant pain in your back, neck, or even radiating into your arms or legs. A facet joint injection delivers corticosteroid and local anesthetic directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and block pain signals.
Who Benefits from Facet Joint Injections?
This procedure is ideal for patients experiencing chronic back pain, neck pain, or headaches that originate from the facet joints. It serves both as a diagnostic tool—confirming the facet joint as the pain source—and as a therapeutic intervention providing weeks to months of relief. As a board-certified pain management specialist and active triathlete, Dr. Schmidt understands the importance of getting you back to your daily activities and the sports you love.
What to Expect
The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes and is performed in our outpatient facility in Hoffman Estates. Using real-time fluoroscopic imaging, Dr. Schmidt precisely guides the needle to the affected joint. Most patients experience relief within a few days and can resume normal activities quickly. Facet joint injections can be repeated as needed and are often combined with physical therapy for optimal long-term results.
Ready to find relief from facet joint pain? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Keith Schmidt today in Hoffman Estates, IL.