If you have upper or mid-back pain that gets worse when you twist, bend, or stand too long, your thoracic facet joints may be the cause. These are small joints in your spine that help you move and stay upright. When they become irritated or inflamed, they can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement. At 5th Avenue Medical Wellness, we offer Thoracic Facet Joint Injections in NYC to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help you feel better without surgery.
What Are Thoracic Facet Joint Injections?
This is a simple injection that targets the facet joints in your upper or mid-back. These joints can become inflamed or worn down over time. That leads to pain and stiffness. We inject a small amount of medicine directly into the joint. This helps reduce swelling and block pain signals.
It’s quick, safe, and done right in our office.
Conditions Treated with Thoracic Facet Joint Injections
These injections help treat pain caused by:
- Arthritis or wear-and-tear in the facet joints
- Joint inflammation from injury or stress
- Pain with movement, twisting, or sitting too long
- Stiffness or tightness between the shoulders
- Thoracic facet joint syndrome
If your pain gets worse when you move or lean back, this injection may help.
How Thoracic Facet Joint Injections Work
We use a small needle to place medicine directly into the painful joint. This medicine includes a local anesthetic to numb the area and a steroid to reduce swelling. The numbing medicine gives quick relief. The steroid helps calm inflammation over time. Together, they help reduce pain, improve movement, and give your body time to heal.
What’s in a Thoracic Facet Joint Injection?
Each injection usually contains:
- A numbing medicine (local anesthetic)
- A steroid to reduce inflammation
These work together to stop pain and support healing.
Thoracic Facet Joint Injection Procedure: What to Expect
The procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:
- You lie on your stomach
- We clean your back and numb the skin
- Using X-ray guidance, we guide a small needle into the facet joint
- We inject the medicine
- You rest for a few minutes, then go home
The majority of patients have little to no pain throughout the process.
When Should You Consider a Thoracic Facet Joint Injection?
You may need this injection if you have:
- Ongoing mid-back pain that doesn’t go away
- Pain that worsens with movement or posture
- Stiffness or aching between your shoulders
- Trouble with daily activities because of back pain
- A poor response to therapy or medication
It’s also used as a diagnostic tool — if the injection helps, we know the facet joint is the source of pain.
Why Choose 5th Avenue Medical Wellness for Thoracic Spine Injections?
At 5th Avenue Medical Wellness, we take your back pain seriously. You’re not just a number — you’re a person with a story, and we listen.
Here’s what makes us different:
- We specialize in non-surgical spine care
- All injections are done under live imaging for safety and accuracy
- We create a plan that fits your body and your goals
- You’ll get personal attention from start to finish
- Located conveniently in Midtown Manhattan, NYC
We treat people who’ve tried everything else and are ready for real results. If you’re looking for relief that lasts — with a team that cares — we’re here for you.
Schedule Your Thoracic Facet Joint Injection in Queens
You don’t have to live with back pain. This quick, in-office injection could be the first step to real relief.
Book your Thoracic Facet Joint Injection in Queens today — and get back to feeling like yourself again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most patients say the injection feels like a quick pinch or pressure. We numb the area first to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
You may feel relief within minutes from the numbing medicine. The steroid takes 1 to 3 days to reduce inflammation and give longer-lasting pain relief.
The duration of relief can range from a few weeks to several months. If the injection works well, we may repeat it or suggest a longer-term treatment like radiofrequency ablation.
We recommend resting for the rest of the day after the procedure. Most patients return to work or daily activities by the next day.
If you have chronic upper or mid-back pain that worsens with movement or poor posture — and other treatments haven’t helped — you may be a good candidate. We’ll review your symptoms and imaging before recommending it.