Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses controlled heat to switch off the small nerves that carry pain from worn joints in your neck. When the facet joints along your spine break down with age or injury, they can ache steadily and lock up your neck for months at a time.
This procedure calms the nerves feeding those joints, which gives many patients long stretches of relief without an operation. At Pain & Spine Physicians, our physicians first confirm that your facet joints are the true source of your pain, then apply precise heat treatment to quiet it at the root.
If stubborn neck pain has taken over your days, this treatment could finally offer real relief. Contact us online, or call (972) 350-0225 to see whether you are a good candidate.
How Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy Works
Facet joints are the small connectors between the bones of your spine, and each one is served by tiny nerves called medial branches. When arthritis or inflammation irritates these joints, those nerves keep firing pain signals.
During the procedure, your physician guides a thin needle to those medial branches using live X-ray imaging, then delivers radiofrequency energy that heats and interrupts the nerve. Because the nerves treated only handle sensation and not muscle movement, silencing them relieves pain without weakening your neck. This is part of the broader radiofrequency ablation family of treatments, tailored here to the joints of the cervical spine.
Who Might Benefit From This Procedure
This treatment tends to help people whose neck pain clearly comes from the facet joints rather than a disc or pinched nerve. You may be a candidate if you have:
- Chronic neck pain from facet joint arthritis
- Pain that flares when you tip your head back or turn it
- Neck pain that has not eased with medication or therapy
- Aching that spreads into your shoulders or upper back
- Strong but short-lived relief from a diagnostic nerve block
Neck pain that stems from an old whiplash injury can also respond well once we confirm the joints are involved.
What to Expect From the Procedure
The treatment happens right in our office and usually takes under an hour. Its design keeps things simple and low-risk:
- No surgery or incision: The heat is delivered through a thin needle guided by imaging.
- No general anesthesia: You stay awake while we numb the area, which lowers your overall risk.
- Minimal downtime: Most people return to light activity within a day or two.
- Lasting results: Relief can hold for several months to more than a year before nerves regrow.
Some soreness at the treatment site for a few days is normal, and your care team will share simple aftercare steps. Most patients are able to drive themselves home the same day, but you’re welcome to arrange a ride if you’d rather not.
Why Choose Pain & Spine Physicians for This Procedure
Treating facet joint pain accurately takes a steady hand and the right imaging, and that is exactly what our physicians bring to this procedure. Our physicians are board-certified in pain medicine, meaning they completed fellowship training in pain medicine after residency, so your procedure is handled by someone with focused, in-depth training in this exact treatment.
We perform this work in-office with modern imaging, which keeps your care coordinated and your costs down. With several new, state-of-the-art offices serving the DFW and North Texas area, quality care stays close to home. We also look at your whole health, aiming for relief that lasts and a return to the activities you have been missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Before You Feel Relief?
Some patients notice improvement within a week, while others take two to three weeks as the treated nerves settle. Results build gradually.
Does the Treated Nerve Grow Back?
Yes, over time. When nerves regrow and pain returns, the procedure can be safely repeated to extend your relief.
Is the Procedure Considered Safe?
It has a strong safety record. Because it avoids incisions and general anesthesia, risks stay low, and serious complications are uncommon.
Will You Be Awake the Whole Time?
Yes. You remain awake with the area numbed, which lets you share feedback and keeps recovery quick.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Neck Relief
Ongoing neck pain does not have to be your everyday normal. Our physicians will pinpoint what is driving your discomfort and map out a plan built around your goals. Connect with Pain & Spine Physicians. Contact us online, or call (972) 350-0225 to book your visit today.