How long does facet joint injection take to work for cervical spondylosis?

The injection places medicine near a small joint in the neck that may contribute to pain from cervical spondylosis. Local anaesthetic, if used, can make the area feel better early, but that effect may fade. An anti-inflammatory medicine may take longer to have an effect, and the response is not always immediate or complete. Clinicians may also use the early response as one part of working out whether the facet joint is contributing to your neck pain.

Follow the discharge instructions, keep the injection area clean, and avoid strenuous neck activity until your treating team says it is suitable. Note pain, neck movement, arm symptoms, and any change after ordinary activities. Do not use early relief as permission to overdo exercise. Your clinician may combine the injection with movement work or other care. Learn more about [Cervical Spondylosis](/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/) and [Facet Joint Injection](/treatments/spine-care/facet-joint-injection/).

Contact the treating service promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, severe unrelenting pain, or a new severe headache after the procedure. Seek emergency care for new arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty breathing, or problems swallowing.

Ask when you may resume driving and normal activity, which symptoms should be recorded, when the injection’s result will be reviewed, and what the next step is if neck pain remains unchanged.