Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT
Pain from the small joints at the back of the neck, worse when you turn or look up. See non-surgical options with Dr. Paul Tortland in Glastonbury, CT.
Condition
Facet joint pain is pain from the small joints along the back of your neck, and it usually feels worse when you turn your head or look up.
It can spread to your shoulders or the base of your skull. Treatment starts with exercise and posture work. If pain lasts, targeted injections are an option, and Dr. Tortland uses live ultrasound to place them exactly where they are needed.
Explore related conditions: Browse the Neck condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.
CARE OPTIONS
Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: When the exam suggests pain from cervical facet joints, Dr. Tortland may discuss PRP treatment for carefully selected cases after clarifying the likely pain generator. Imaging alone does not prove that a facet joint is the source, and regenerative injections have evolving evidence.
Physical therapy and traditional care: Physical therapy, neck and shoulder strengthening, mobility work, posture changes, activity modification, and appropriate medication are common conservative options. A pain specialist may consider diagnostic medial branch blocks to help establish whether facet joints are responsible before other procedures.
When other care may be needed: Radiating pain, weakness, altered coordination, or symptoms of spinal-cord involvement call for broader evaluation. Treatment should match the diagnosis rather than neck imaging alone.
Common questions
It comes from irritation or arthritis of the small joints at the back of your neck. Common triggers are repeated strain, poor posture, older injuries, and normal wear with age.
Most people feel one-sided neck pain and stiffness that may spread to the shoulder or head. It is often worse when you turn or look up. Arm weakness or trouble walking needs urgent evaluation.
Options include physical therapy, posture and activity changes, and injections guided by imaging. A small numbing shot near the joint nerves, called a medial branch block, can confirm which joint hurts. In one review, ultrasound-guided neck joint injections reached the target 92 to 98 percent of the time, though results depend on the doctor's skill.
Evidence for PRP in cervical facet pain is still developing. A randomized trial of 40 people found that low-concentration PRP and corticosteroid injections produced similar pain improvements over six months, without a significant difference between groups. Treatment depends on confirming the likely pain source and discussing risks, alternatives and uncertainty.
Dr. Tortland can review your imaging and history to recommend the most appropriate non-surgical path forward.