Cervical (Neck) Facet Joint Pain
Facet joints are also called zygapophysial joints (z-joints) and are located in the rear of the spine in the neck. Therefore, facet joint pain classically worsens while extending the neck (looking up to the sky), then improves while flexing the neck (looking down to the ground). Facet joint pain can be felt in the rear of the neck or can refer pain into the shoulder blade region and even into the back of the head. This referred facet joint pain can be felt on one side or both. Just like any joint in the body, each facet joint surface is covered with cartilage called articular cartilage, which allows the facet joint surfaces to glide smoothly over one another with minimal friction. Due to injury or degenerative wear and tear, this articular cartilage can deteriorate and cause arthritis pain symptoms. Small diameter nerve branches, called medial branches, transmit the signals from painful facet joints to the central nervous system. Each individual joint surface is serviced by a separate nerve branch, so each facet joint involves two distinct medial branches.
Cervical Facet Joint Treatment – Injection Options
If facet joint pain symptoms persist despite appropriate conservative care, then using fluoroscopic guidance to perform injections becomes an option to consider. A facet joint steroid injection can interrupt facet joint inflammatory pain symptoms associated with joint degeneration. A Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB) is a diagnostic injection that can verify to what degree spine symptoms can be attributed to the facet joints. For facet joint pain symptoms that return despite these two injection approaches, then Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Neurotomy of the corresponding medial branches can be a nonsurgical option to discuss, because doing so can provide long-lasting relief.
Cervical Facet Joint Injection vs. Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB)
There are two injection techniques to determine if a given facet joint(s) is/are contributing to your pain: Medial Branch Block (MBB) Technique or Intraarticular Facet Joint Injection Technique. The MBB numbs the medial branch nerves that service the suspected facet joint(s). After the injection, you are given a pain log to take home and compare your pre-injection pain level to what you feel after the medial branch block. The MBB is a “diagnostic” procedure because it is unlikely to deliver lasting facet joint pain relief by itself. The MBB aims to determine how much pain can be attributed to the targeted facet joint(s) and establish how many joints are involved.
An intraarticular facet joint injection can provide the same diagnostic information as the MBB but can potentially provide longer-term relief of pain symptoms if anti-inflammatory medication (a steroid) is also injected to interrupt the inflammation within the joint(s).
Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Neurotomy
If high-quality BUT short-term relief is experienced from either the MBB or the intraarticular facet joint injection, then strong evidence exists that facet joint pain is present. Most insurance companies require a second (confirmatory) MBB to also be successful before verifying a person’s candidacy for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) neurotomy.
RFA involves disconnecting (via heat lesion) the medial branches servicing the painful facet joints. A comparison can be made to a common dental procedure, which deadens the nerve in an aching tooth when dental pain can’t be resolved otherwise. RFA is a nonsurgical option for facet joint pain if no other less aggressive treatment has provided relief. However, the results may not be permanent due to the human body’s healing potential.
If the medial branch regrows enough to connect to the facet joint, the associated facet joint pain can return. If that occurs, then the RFA procedure can be repeated. It doesn’t mean that the RFA procedure has to be repeated frequently for the rest of your life, it just means that sometimes it may have to be repeated more than once.
How Is Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation Neurotomy Performed
A moving x-ray machine called a fluoroscope is used to guide the entire procedure. The fluoroscope surrounds you like the letter “C”, but it will never touch you. Nerves are “invisible” with x-rays so the fluoroscope is used to see the spine’s bone landmarks and increases the injection’s comfort, safety, and precision. The design of the C-arm fluoroscope allows visualization of the ideal view angle to perform your procedure. The fluoroscope does deliver a dose of radiation similar to an x-ray and the machine settings are adjusted to administer the absolute minimum radiation dose possible for your procedure.
The skin over the targeted landmark is injected with numbing medicine, which causes a very temporary sensation like a “bee sting”. The rest of the process feels like movement and pressure rather than pain.
The fluoroscope verifies each needle movement to ensure your safety and your comfort. Once the needle tip is in the ideal position relative to the bone landmarks, an important safety step is taken. The tip of the special RFA needle can send stimulation to verify that the needle is not too close to the larger nerve root that travels into the corresponding arm because the important goal of the procedure is to selectively disconnect only the small medial branch nerve and avoid injury to the larger nerve root. This important safety confirmation takes place before any deep numbing medication is injected and before the heat is generated at the tip of the special RFA needle. Once safety is confirmed, numbing medicine is injected at the needle tip, followed by the heating protocol at the needle tip. After the heating is completed, the needle is moved to the next targeted medial branch, and the process is repeated. A bandage will be applied to the injection site, and you will be escorted back to the original exam room for after-injection observation, monitoring, and discharge process.
Recovery After Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Neurotomy
There is no need to restrict movements after this procedure, so activity can be as tolerated. The majority of patients feel relief within the first month after the procedure. For some, it takes two months, and on rare occasions, up to three months.
If you have facet joint pain from neck arthritis, then cervical radiofrequency ablation (RFA) neurotomy may be the non-surgical solution that you’re looking for. Learn more at RegenerativeSpineAndJoint.com or call us today at (614) 999-9899 to find out if radiofrequency ablation neurotomy is the right option for your neck facet joint pain. Contact the Regenerative Spine & Joint Center today to schedule an appointment.
