Cervical Facet Injection

CERVICAL FACET JOINTS IN A NUTSHELL

Facet joints are the small joints located in pairs on both sides of the spine. Each one is approximately the size of a thumbnail. They connect the vertebrae which help guide the spine as you move. The cervical region consists of seven vertebrae. Facet joints are named for the side of the spine they are located on and the vertebrae they connect. For example, the second and third vertebrae situated on the right side are joined by the right C2-3 cervical facet joint.

IS IT PAINFUL IF A CERVICAL FACET JOINT IS INJURED?

If a facet joint is injured, either the cartilage inside or just the connection ligaments around the joint is damaged. So, the pain can either be mild, akin to muscle tension, or quite painful depending on the severity of your injury and which facet is affected. You may feel cervical facet pain anywhere from the lower shoulder blade up to the head.

HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE EXPERIIENCING CERVICAL FACET JOINT PAIN?

You’ll know that you are suffering from cervical facet pain if you experience pain in one or more areas when you turn your neck or head, and the pain continues for more than two months. Standard tests like MRIs and x-rays won’t always let you know if a cervical facet joint is the one causing the pain, though.

CERVICAL FACET JOINT EXPLAINED

During a cervical facet injection, your doctor will inject a numbing medication (local anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroid) into one or more of the facet joints to see if they will temporarily reduce your pain. If they do lessen your pain and help improve your mobility, it may tell your doctor which cervical facet joint is causing your pain. The steroid in the injection is used to treat facet joint inflammation.

CERVICAL FACET JOINT: WHAT TO EXPECT

After receiving an injection, you will be closely monitored for about 30 minutes. The staff will give you aftercare instructions, as well as a pain diary, when you are ready to be discharged. It’s vital that you follow the instructions carefully if you want to recover faster. Also, don’t forget to jot down any pains and aches you are experiencing on the diary provided, as this will help your doctor determine how well the injection is working. You can carefully try to move or tilt your neck just to see if the pain is still there, but don’t overdo it.

You’ll know that the injection is working if you feel immediate numbness in the neck, and pain relief for a certain period of time following the injection. The pain could return, maybe even worse, for about one or two days after this pain-free period. It’s possible that you are experiencing some irritation from the needle, or the corticosteroid itself is causing this pain. It normally takes two to three days for the corticosteroids to work but can also take as long as one week. Most people are able to return to work only a day after the procedure. However, consult with your doctor before returning to your daily activities.

CERVICAL FACET JOINT: HOW LONG WILL PAIN RELIEF LAST?

Every patient’s case is unique, so the duration and extent of pain relief may also vary depending on the number of areas involved and the severity of the inflammation. It’s also possible that other coexisting factors are responsible for the pain. An injection may bring several weeks or even months of pain relief before more treatments are needed. However, there are also times when only one injection is needed for long-term pain relief, especially if you have no underlying joint or bone problems. If you are injured in more than one area, an injection may only help with some of the symptoms you are experiencing.

You’ll know that the injection is working if you feel immediate numbness in the neck, and pain relief for a certain period of time following the injection. The pain could return, maybe even worse, for about one or two days after this pain-free period. It’s possible that you are experiencing some irritation from the needle, or the corticosteroid itself is causing this pain. It normally takes two to three days for the corticosteroids to work but can also take as long as one week. Most people are able to return to work only a day after the procedure. However, consult with your doctor before returning to your daily activities.