Facet injections

Regional  myofascial pain  syndromes  have similar pain  referral patterns as  facet  syndome. Cervicothoracic  myofscial pain syndrome frequently occur  in association  with  cervical facet syndrome. Referral pain patterns from cervical facet joints coincide with classic myofascial  trigger points at suboccipital paraspinals,upper trapezius and scapular  regions. 
The primary role of  facet  injections remains diagnosic. The facet injections are used  for patients who have  failed a directed nonoperative treatment program that  incorporates various manipulation/mobilization techniques.  The goal of facet injections is to verify the diagnosis and perhaps assist with pain reduction in order to facilitate an active physical therapy program. Cervical facet block can be distinguished from  other  conditions with similar  pain referral patterns.
Such as lumber  facet  syndrome  or myofascial pain at the pelvic femoral girdle can mimic  sciatica. Trigger points within the gluteus  minius muscles refer pain into the lower extremity similar  to L5 to S1  nerve root  distributions. Lumber  facet block or  trigger injection can be used for  diagnoisis purpose.  
For those patients who have reliably  demonstrated a  therapeutic analgesic  response to injected  anesthertics of varying  half-lives and  have failed consertive  care may be candidates  for therapeutic radiofrequency denervation procedures.