Does facet joint injection treat cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis describes age-related changes in the bones, discs, and joints of the neck. Facet joints sit at the back of the spine and can contribute to local neck pain or pain spreading toward the shoulder. During a facet joint injection, a clinician places medicine near a selected joint, often with image guidance. The response may help clarify whether that joint is contributing to pain and may create a window for movement and rehabilitation. It will not remove bone or disc changes, and neck or arm symptoms may have another source.

Your clinician should review your symptoms, examination, medicines, allergies, bleeding risk, and any infection before recommending an injection. Ask what improvement would count as meaningful and what alternatives are available. Follow instructions about activity after the procedure, and keep track of pain, arm symptoms, and strength. Do not rely on an injection to ignore progressive neurological symptoms. Read about [Cervical Spondylosis](/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/) and [Facet Joint Injection](/treatments/spine-care/facet-joint-injection/).

Seek urgent assessment for new or worsening arm or leg weakness, problems with walking or balance, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin. After an injection, seek prompt help for fever, increasing redness or swelling, severe new pain, breathing difficulty, or a severe headache. These symptoms are not routine recovery features.

Ask whether your pain pattern matches a facet joint, how the target will be selected, what benefit and duration are realistic, and whether diagnostic nerve procedures or physiotherapy are alternatives. Confirm which medicines need special instructions.