Injections
Cervical Facet Joint Injections
Cervical facet joint injections place anti-inflammatory medication into the small joints along the back of the neck, using image guidance for accuracy. They treat neck pain that flares when you look up or turn your head, and they help confirm whether those joints are truly the source before longer-lasting treatment.
Request an AppointmentWhat are Cervical
Facet Joint Injections?
Cervical facet joints are the small joints in the neck portion of the spine that support movement, stability, and flexibility. Over time they can become painful, whether through arthritis, injury, whiplash, inflammation, or normal wear and tear.
A cervical facet joint injection places numbing medication and an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid into or near the painful joint, using imaging guidance for precision.
The injection serves two purposes. Diagnostic: if your usual pain improves shortly after the injection, it helps confirm that the treated joint is contributing to your symptoms. Therapeutic: the corticosteroid may reduce inflammation, providing longer-lasting improvement for some patients.
If the injection confirms facet joint pain, it opens the door to longer-lasting options, including radiofrequency ablation, chosen around your condition and goals.
At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists, Dr. Nair uses a precise, medically guided approach to understand your neck pain before treating it.
The same injection that relieves pain also confirms which joint is causing it. That information guides everything after.
Fluoroscopy guides the needle to the exact joint, keeping the procedure accurate and minimally invasive.
Numbing medication can work within hours; the anti-inflammatory typically takes effect within two to five days.
A positive response may qualify you for radiofrequency ablation: months of relief from the confirmed source.
Am I a candidate for a cervical facet joint injection?
Neck pain with a hidden source deserves a precise answer.
Facet-related neck pain can feel different for every patient. You may be evaluated for a cervical facet joint injection if you experience any of these symptoms.
Localized Neck Pain
Pain may feel like a deep ache in the neck rather than sharp pain traveling down the entire arm.
Pain With Head Movement
Symptoms may worsen when turning your head side to side, tilting your head back, or looking upward.
Shoulder & Shoulder Blade Discomfort
Facet joint pain may refer discomfort into the upper shoulders or shoulder blade area.
Headaches Near the Neck
Some patients experience headaches that seem to begin near the base of the skull or upper neck.
Neck Stiffness & Limited Mobility
Trouble checking blind spots while driving, looking over your shoulder, or moving your neck freely.
Pain After Injury or Wear and Tear
Facet joints may become irritated after whiplash, repetitive strain, arthritis, or age-related changes.
Common questions about cervical facet joint injections
Cervical facet joint injections are image-guided injections used to diagnose and sometimes treat pain coming from the small joints in the neck portion of the spine. The injection may include numbing medication and an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid.
What are cervical facet joint injections?
Cervical facet joint injections are image-guided injections used to diagnose and sometimes treat pain coming from the small joints in the neck portion of the spine. The injection may include numbing medication and an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid.
Ready when you are.
Find the Source.
Treat It Precisely.
If chronic neck pain has gone unexplained, a cervical facet joint injection can identify the joint behind it, and start relieving it the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call (502) 995-4004, answered 24/7.
Medically reviewed by Ajith Nair, M.D., Founder & Medical Director at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed July 2026Updated