Facet Joint Injections in Palm Coast, FL

A targeted, image-guided injection placed directly inside an arthritic facet joint — treating inflammation where it actually lives, without surgery.

What it treats

Facet joint injections address pain coming from the small stabilizing joints along the spine, including:

If your exam and imaging point to a specific arthritic joint as your pain source, this direct approach is often part of Dr. López’s plan.

How it works

Facet joints are lined with cartilage and enclosed in a small, fluid-filled capsule — much like the joints in your knee or hip — and that capsule can become inflamed with wear and tear or injury. Rather than treating the surrounding nerves, this procedure places anti-inflammatory medication directly inside the joint space itself, calming the inflammation at its actual source.

Dr. Manuel López, a board-certified pain management and rehabilitation physician, performs each injection under image guidance, using a small amount of contrast dye to confirm the needle tip has reached inside the joint before any medication is delivered.

What to expect

This is an outpatient procedure performed in a controlled clinical setting — you come in and go home the same day.

• Before: the skin over the joint is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic.
• During: guided by live imaging, Dr. López advances a thin needle into the joint space, confirms placement with a small amount of contrast, and injects the medication. Most patients feel pressure rather than sharp pain.
• After: you’ll rest briefly in our office before heading home with a driver. Some patients notice a short window of extra flexibility from the anesthetic before it wears off.

Every case responds differently, and Dr. López will talk through what’s realistic for your specific joints at your consultation — a personal answer, not a generic one.

Is it right for you?

You may be a strong candidate if:

• Your neck or back pain worsens with twisting, arching backward, or standing up from sitting
• Imaging or an exam points to a specific facet joint as the likely source
• Other conservative measures haven’t given you lasting relief
• You’d rather address the joint directly than rely on ongoing pain medication

As with any injection, certain conditions — active infection, bleeding disorders — need review first. An exam and your imaging will tell Dr. López whether this is the right fit, or whether a different approach makes more sense for your case.

Take the first step

If an arthritic joint is behind your neck or back pain, find out directly rather than continuing to guess. One consultation gives you a diagnosis, a plan, and straight answers.

Call (386) 222-7746 or request an appointment.