Does facet joint injection treat lumbar spondylosis?

Lumbar spondylosis describes age-related wear in the lower spine. It can involve discs, small facet joints, and nearby bone. An injection targets a suspected painful facet joint with medicine placed beside it, usually with imaging guidance. It may reduce local inflammation and help clarify whether that joint contributes to pain. It cannot restore a narrowed disc or remove every source of stiffness, aching, or leg symptoms. Improvement therefore depends on which structures are actually causing the problem.

Have your symptoms and examination matched with any scans before deciding on an injection. Tell the clinician about medicines, allergies, infection, and other health conditions. Ask what benefit to measure, how long to monitor it, and what alternatives exist. A broader plan can include graded activity, physiotherapy, strength work, and advice on lifting or prolonged positions. Record changes in walking, sitting, sleep, and pain so the follow-up is specific.

Get urgent help for new bladder or bowel difficulty, numbness around the inner thighs or groin, or increasing weakness in a leg. After an injection, promptly report fever, spreading redness, marked swelling, or severe new pain. Pain with unexplained weight loss, a history of serious illness, or major trauma should be assessed without delay. Symptoms that continue or spread need review rather than automatic repeat treatment.

Ask whether your pain pattern points to the facet joints, what the injection is intended to show, how it complements rehabilitation, and what happens if it gives little relief.