Lumbar facet joint injection in low back pain and sciatica: preliminary results.

Fluoroscopically controlled intra-articular facet joint block is a reliable method of diagnosing low back pain and sciatica caused by lumbar facet arthropathy. Of 20 patients studied, 13 had complete and immediate relief of pain, confirming the diagnosis, Six patients have been free of pain for more than six months following a single facet joint block with injection of a local anesthetic and corticosteroid suspension. Preliminary findings suggest that computed tomography has an important role in diagnosing symptomatic facet arthropathy.