Targeting Cervical Neck Pain: How Facet Joint Injections Provide Relief

Cervical neck pain is a common issue that affects millions of people. Whether it’s caused by aging, injury, or daily wear and tear, neck pain can interfere with work, sleep, and overall quality of life. While treatments like physical therapy and medications often help, some patients need a more targeted solution. That’s where facet joint injections come in.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic neck pain, understanding how facet joint injections work may help you decide if they’re the right option for you.

What Causes Cervical Neck Pain?

The cervical spine, located in your neck, consists of seven small vertebrae. Between these vertebrae are small joints called facet joints. These joints help your neck move smoothly and support your head’s range of motion.

Over time, facet joints can become irritated or inflamed due to:

• Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear that breaks down cartilage in the joints.
• Injury: Trauma like whiplash can damage or strain the joints.
• Poor posture: Prolonged desk work or frequent phone use (“tech neck”) stresses the joints.

This irritation can lead to stiffness, aching, and even headaches that radiate from the neck to the shoulders or upper back. When these symptoms persist, facet joint injections may provide relief.

What Are Facet Joint Injections?

A facet joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure that delivers a small amount of anesthetic and steroid medication directly into the painful joint. It serves two main purposes:

1. Therapeutic: Reduces inflammation and pain in the joint.
2. Diagnostic: Confirms whether the facet joint is the source of your pain.

How the Procedure Works

Facet joint injections are typically performed in an outpatient setting and take less than 30 minutes. Here’s what to expect:

• Preparation: You’ll lie face down or on your side. The area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
• Imaging Guidance: Using live X-ray (fluoroscopy), the doctor guides a thin needle into the target joint.
• Injection: A combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid medication is injected.
• Recovery: After a brief observation period, you can return home the same day.

Who Can Benefit from Facet Joint Injections?

This treatment may be recommended for patients who:

• Have neck pain that hasn’t improved with conservative treatments.
• Experience pain and stiffness that worsens with head movement.
• Have been diagnosed with arthritis in the cervical spine.
• Need a diagnostic test to confirm the source of pain before considering other procedures.

Facet joint injections are also helpful for those recovering from injuries such as whiplash or those with degenerative disc changes in the neck.

How Long Does Pain Relief Last?

The duration of pain relief varies:

• Immediate relief from the anesthetic may last a few hours.
• Steroid effect begins within 2-5 days and may provide relief for weeks to months.

Your doctor may recommend repeat injections if necessary, but the number of treatments per year is typically limited.

Are Facet Joint Injections Safe?

Facet joint injections are generally considered safe when performed by an experienced specialist. Potential risks are rare but can include:

• Temporary soreness at the injection site
• Headache
• Infection or bleeding (rare)

Why Consider Facet Joint Injections?

This treatment offers several advantages:

• Minimally invasive: No surgery required.
• Quick procedure: Completed in under 30 minutes.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic: Helps identify and treat the pain source.
• Outpatient care: No hospital stay needed.

Combining Facet Joint Injections with Other Treatments

While facet joint injections can provide significant relief, they’re often part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Your provider may recommend:

• Physical therapy to strengthen neck muscles and improve posture.
• Medications for pain management.
• Ergonomic adjustments for workstations and daily activities.

Find Out if Facet Joint Injections Are Right for You

If cervical neck pain is interfering with your daily life and other treatments haven’t provided relief, facet joint injections may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Talk to a pain management specialist to learn more about your options and take the first step toward lasting relief.

Don’t let neck pain hold you back—explore targeted treatments and regain your mobility.