Manhattan’s Advanced Approach to Cervical Facet Blocks: Revolutionizing Upper Spine Pain Relief
Chronic neck pain affects millions of Americans, with cervical facet joint pain known to make up a substantial portion of the patient population with neck pain, with a reported prevalence in a pain clinic population approaching 60%. For Manhattan residents seeking relief from persistent upper spine discomfort, cervical facet blocks represent one of the most effective minimally invasive treatment options available today.
Understanding Cervical Facet Joint Pain
Facet joints are a set of small joints between every two adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Their function is to guide and limit the movement of each spinal segment. Cervical facet joints are those responsible for the cervical spine’s (at the neck and top of spine) ability to rotate, as well as bending forwards and backwards. When these joints become damaged or inflamed, they can cause significant pain that radiates throughout the head, neck, shoulders, and arms.
They can often be disrupted by degeneration, dislocation, fracture injury, instability from trauma, osteoarthritis and surgery. Twisting injuries are also a frequent cause of damage to the facet joints. Pain caused by disruption to the cervical facet joints will be felt in the head, neck, shoulder or arm. Common triggers include whiplash injuries, degenerative disc disease, and age-related wear and tear.
What Are Cervical Facet Blocks?
Facet joint blocks are a common way to diagnose the specific source of pain generated in the facet joints of the spine. Numbing medicine is placed into the facet joint and the immediate pain relief experienced by the patient will help determine if the facet joint is a source of the pain. These procedures serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, offering patients immediate insights into their pain source while providing substantial relief.
Facet joint injections are one of the most commonly performed procedures amongst all spinal interventions. The procedure involves the precise injection of local anesthetic and sometimes corticosteroids directly into or around the affected facet joints under fluoroscopic guidance.
Manhattan’s Specialized Treatment Approach
Manhattan’s pain management specialists have developed sophisticated approaches to cervical facet blocks that prioritize both safety and efficacy. For cervical injections, patient positioning may involve a lateral or an oblique frontal approach. If lateral positioning is assumed, a headrest should be used to avoid lateral flexion of the neck, and shoulders should be positioned down. This attention to detail ensures optimal outcomes while minimizing risks.
Leading Manhattan pain management centers like NY Spine Medicine exemplify this specialized approach. NY Spine Medicine offers the highest level of pain management in NYC. Find our team, innovative services, and supportive patient resources today. The practice, led by Dr. Douglas Schottenstein, one of the top pain management doctors in the country. He leads our team to help you get back to feeling strong, mobile, and confident faster than you ever thought possible. Double-board certified in neurology and pain management, represents the pinnacle of interventional pain management in Manhattan.
Located at 18 E 48th St, Ste 901, New York, NY 10017, NY Spine Medicine embodies the core philosophy that surgery should be a last resort for treatment of your pain. We exhaust all possible medical options to help our patients recover from their pain as safely and as painlessly as possible. Our holistic approach encompasses minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent future injury.
The Treatment Process and Benefits
The cervical facet block procedure is typically performed as an outpatient treatment. The procedure is typically performed at an outpatient facility. Sedation is ideally avoided as it may confound the patient’s response to pain, but mild sedation may be considered if the patient is anxious. Patients can expect the entire process to take approximately 30-45 minutes, with immediate feedback on pain relief effectiveness.
With an effective facet joint block, a patient can receive several months of pain relief. This pain-free window is the ideal time to rehabilitate the area of pain, in conjunction with physiotherapy. Rehabilitation is based on exercises and movements designed to help build a strong, healthy pain-free spine.
For patients seeking Facet Block Injections Manhattan, the success rates are encouraging. For the right patients with the right indications – such as an X-ray or MRI clearly showing issues in the facet joints, along with the complaint of axial low back pain or axial neck pain – the success rate can be high, upwards of 80%.
Advanced Technology and Personalized Care
Manhattan’s leading pain management centers utilize state-of-the-art technology for optimal precision. At NY Spine Medicine, we are dedicated to the treatment of pain and spine conditions and utilize the most advanced technology and treatment options available in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. This commitment to cutting-edge equipment ensures that patients receive the most accurate and effective treatments available.
The personalized approach extends beyond just the procedure itself. Consultation: We’ll pinpoint your pain and medical history. Imaging: We’ll find the exact source of your pain for the best treatment. This comprehensive evaluation process ensures that each patient receives treatment tailored specifically to their unique condition and pain pattern.
Long-term Outcomes and Follow-up Care
When cervical facet blocks provide significant but temporary relief, patients may be candidates for more long-lasting treatments. If the facet joint block is successful, but required again, radiofrequency treatment may be considered instead, which is associated with a longer duration of pain relief. If the pain relief is not lasting for a longer amount of time after a facet joint injection, the next step is typically a radiofrequency ablation procedure. When that works well, it can provide pain control that lasts six months to a year.
Manhattan’s specialized approach emphasizes comprehensive care that extends well beyond the initial procedure. At NY Spine Medicine, we believe in personalized care. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Our multidisciplinary approach combines the expertise of pain management specialists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide you with comprehensive care every step of the way.
Safety and Risk Management
While cervical facet blocks are generally safe procedures, Manhattan’s specialized centers prioritize comprehensive risk management. The procedure is fairly safe and has very few side effects and risks. Serious complications are rare. Patients can expect minimal downtime, with most experiencing immediate relief with little to no downtime.
For Manhattan residents suffering from chronic neck pain, cervical facet blocks represent a proven, minimally invasive solution that can restore quality of life and mobility. With the city’s advanced pain management centers offering specialized expertise and state-of-the-art technology, patients have access to some of the most effective upper spine pain treatments available anywhere in the world.