Cervical Facet Joint Injection and Medial Branch Blocks

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to present the historical background, indications, current evidence, and detailed procedural recommendations on intra-articular cervical facet and cervical medial branch blocks in the treatment of axial neck pain. The preferred injection methods are largely guided by the patient’s anatomy, symptomatology, imaging findings, and the physician’s familiarity with a particular technique. Regardless of the approach, patient positioning and fluoroscopic imaging quality optimization will maximize patient comfort and procedural safety. Cervical medial branch block is an important procedure as it is the basis for cervical medial branch radiofrequency ablation as the next-step treatment.