The cervical facet joints are very small joints that help connect the vertebrae of the neck and allow the spine to turn and bend comfortably. If the facet joints are injured or damaged in the neck, it can cause muscle or nerve pain in the neck, head, and/or shoulders, particularly when turning one’s head. You may be suffering from a cervical facet condition if the pain is chronic or recurs over several months. It is possible to relieve neck and shoulder pain with a safe, minimally invasive pain management procedure called a facet joint injection.
The Beverly Hills spine surgeons at ProMedSPINE are board-certified and fellowship trained in a wide variety of advanced non-operative and surgical treatments for spine conditions and neck or back pain management. To receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, please do not hesitate to contact the skilled spine and neurosurgeons at ProMedSPINE today .
Cervical Facet Block Technique
A facet block is essentially an injection of anesthetic that numbs and shuts off the facet joint’s nerves, at least temporarily, in order to diagnose the source of pain and provide relief. The anesthetic and/or anti-inflammatory steroid medication is delivered by an injection directly into the facet joint. The doctor will use a type of X-ray called a fluoroscopy to carefully guide the needle with pinpoint accuracy to the correct joint. If the cervical facet block fails to alleviate the patient’s pain, then it is likely that the specific facet joint that was treated is not the source of the pain and further treatment will be necessary. If the facet block is effective, the patient may leave the clinic after at least a period of 30 minutes in order to observe whether s/he experiences any negative side effects.
Many patients experience immediate pain relief following the injection of the anesthetic, which typically wears off after a few hours. The steroid injection may not begin to work until within one to seven days. It is important to keep track of how your body responds to the procedure over the following days and weeks in order to monitor its effectiveness.
What Causes Spinal Pain?
Facet joint pain in the neck or shoulders is typically a result of arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spine trauma, or whiplash. It is common among older adults due to simple wear and tear over the years. Cervical facet joints are often damaged as a result of motor vehicle accidents, sports-related accidents, and other traumatic events. Depending on the severity of the degeneration or injury, the patient may experience cervical facet syndrome, which includes chronic migraines, neck pain, headaches, and/or shoulder pain.
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Contact Los Angeles Pain Management Experts
If you experience chronic headaches or neck pain, find the relief you need with the qualified team at ProMedSPINE. To learn more about our services and whether you qualify for a cervical facet block for migraines, neck injuries, or cervical spine damage, please schedule a comprehensive consultation right away at our spinal treatment facility.
Next, read about discograms.