Cervical Facet Injections for Post-Accident Neck Pain – How It Can Help

Neck pain following an accident, particularly a vehicular one, can be a pervasive and debilitating issue. Often, this pain stems from injuries to the cervical facet joints, which are small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae in the neck. In these cases, cervical facet injections have emerged as a viable and effective treatment option. Here’s how cervical facet injections can help in managing post-accident neck pain.

Understanding Cervical Facet Joint Pain

The cervical facet joints play a crucial role in the movement and stability of the neck. These joints can become painful due to injury, inflammation, or arthritis, often resulting from an accident. Symptoms of cervical facet joint pain can include neck pain, stiffness, and tenderness, and sometimes pain radiating to the shoulders or head. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, typically involving physical examinations, medical history analysis, and imaging tests like MRI or CT scans.

What are Cervical Facet Injections?

Cervical facet injections are a minimally invasive procedure used both for diagnosing and treating neck pain. This procedure involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic and steroid medication directly into the cervical facet joint. The anesthetic provides immediate pain relief, while the steroid reduces inflammation and provides longer-lasting pain relief. Cervical facet injections serve a dual purpose:

Diagnostic Tool: In addition to treatment, cervical facet injections serve a diagnostic function. If immediate pain relief is experienced following the injection, it confirms that the facet joint is the source of pain. This diagnostic aspect is essential in developing a targeted treatment plan for long-term relief.
Therapeutic Benefit: For therapeutic purposes, the steroid medication in the injection helps reduce inflammation and pain in the affected joint. This relief can last from several weeks to months, allowing patients to engage in physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises more effectively.

Benefits of Cervical Facet Injections

Cervical facet injections offer several benefits:

Targeted Pain Relief: By delivering medication directly to the source of pain, these injections can provide more effective relief compared to oral medications.
Minimal Invasiveness: The procedure is less invasive than surgery, with fewer risks and a quicker recovery time.
Improved Mobility: Reduction in pain and inflammation can lead to improved neck mobility and function.
Facilitation of Rehabilitation: With reduced pain, patients can participate more actively in physical therapy, expediting their recovery.

The Procedure: What to Expect

The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Using fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance, the physician ensures accurate placement of the needle in the facet joint. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure and can return to their normal activities shortly after.

Get Post-Accident Pain Relief With Cervical Facet Injections at Impact Medical Group of Brandon

Cervical facet injections are a valuable tool in the management of post-accident neck pain, providing both diagnostic insight and therapeutic relief. This treatment can be a key component of a comprehensive pain management and rehabilitation plan.

At Impact Medical Group of Brandon, we specialize in post-accident recovery, including cervical facet injections. Our experienced team is committed to providing personalized care to alleviate your pain and facilitate your journey to recovery. If you are struggling with neck pain following an accident, contact us at (813) 522-8885 to explore how cervical facet injections and our other services can help you.