Facet Joint Pain

  • Facet joint discomfort affects 55% of chronic cervical spine pain sufferers, 42% of thoracic spine pain sufferers, and 31% of lumbar spine pain sufferers.
  • Patients who have been first diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), and whiplash-associated diseases frequently suffer from a variety of pain syndromes that cause deep, excruciating pain on the C5-6 and C6-7 facet joints (WAD).

Cervical Anatomy

Locating the Brachial Plexus (Interscalene)

  • Start in the anterior midline at the level of the thyroid gland and move laterally, identifying the carotid, internal jugular and then the anterior scalene and middle scalene, triangulating against the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the scan
  • Alternatively you can start from the supraclavicular space and run the probe upwards 

Identify the C6 Nerve

Avoiding the vertebral artery

Cervical Facets

Course Calendar & Discounts

Sign up for Live and Online Training Events, Coupons, Free Educational Content and more!

Thank You

References

and Interesting Articles

  • Kim KH, Choi SH, Kim TK, Shin SW, Kim CH, Kim JI. Cervical facet joint injections in the neck and shoulder pain. J Korean Med Sci. 2005 Aug;20(4):659-62. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.4.659. PMID: 16100461; PMCID: PMC2782165.
  • Manchikanti L, Boswell MV, Singh V, Pampati V, Damron KS, Beyer CD. Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 May 28;5:15. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-5-15. PMID: 15169547; PMCID: PMC441387.
  • Bogduk N. International Spinal Injection Society guidelines for the performance of spinal injection procedures. Part 1: Zygapophysial joint blocks. Clin J Pain. 1997 Dec;13(4):285-302. doi: 10.1097/00002508-199712000-00003. PMID: 9430809.

Disclaimer

Continuing Medical Education and Board Review

This Podcast, website and any content from NRAP Academy (PMRexam.com) otherwise known as Qbazaar.com, LLC is  for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. Professionals should conduct their own fact finding, research, and due diligence to come to their own conclusions for treating patients. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.


Check out our other CME Board Reviews!