Cervical Facet Joint Interventions

Cervical facet, or zygapophysial, joints have been shown to be a source of pain in the neck and referred pain in the head and upper extremities. Cervical facet joints were recognized as a potential source for neck pain in 1977. Based on controlled diagnostic blocks, the prevalence of persistent neck pain secondary to the involvement of cervical facet joints has been established as varying from 36% to 67%. Cervical facet joint pain has been managed with intra-articular injections, facet joint nerve blocks, and/or radiofrequency neurotomy.