Atlanto-Axial and Atlanto-Occipital Joints Injection in the Treatment of Headaches and Neck Pain

Abstract

Cervicogenic headache is referred pain from cervical structures innervated by the upper three cervical spinal nerves. The lateral atlanto-axial joint, which is innervated by the C2 ventral ramus, is a fairly common cause of cervicogenic headache. It may account for 16 % of patients with occipital headache.1 In human volunteers, distending the lateral atlanto-axial joint with contrast agent produces occipital pain, and injection of local anaesthetic into the joint relieves the headache.