The facet joints in your spine provide stability and guide motion. If you suffer from arthritis or a spine injury, your doctor may recommend a cervical or thoracic facet injection to relieve pain. Here are a few things to expect when you undergo this procedure.

Cervical and Thoracic Joints Cause Different Pain

Cervical joints are on the neck and sides of the head, while thoracic joints are in the upper back.

• Cervical facet joints cause pain in the head, neck, shoulders or arms.
• Thoracic facet joints cause pain in the upper back and chest.

An anesthetic will be injected before the medication. Your doctor will inject a numbing anesthetic before injecting a steroid into your spine.

The Amount of Pain Relief Can Diagnose the Problem

If you experience immediate pain relief when the anesthetic is injected, the facet joint is most likely the source of pain.

Pain May Briefly Increase After the Procedure

You may notice a slight increase in pain as the anesthetic wears off and before the steroid has fully taken effect.

Cervical and thoracic joint injections are simple procedures and are usually performed in a procedure office or outpatient surgical center. To learn more about cervical or thoracic injections, contact Specialists in Pain Management at 423-698-0850.