This cohort study by Bodor et al. (2022) demonstrates that a lateral, in-plane ultrasound-guided technique for cervical facet joint injections is a highly accurate, radiation-free alternative to fluoroscopy for treating chronic neck pain. The accuracy of these injections ranged from 92% to 98% depending on the criteria used to confirm an intra-articular contrast pattern, with a distribution of C2-3 (22%), C3-4 (40%), C4-5 (33%), and C5-7 (5%). The findings highlight that while success is highly dependent on operator skill, the technique allows for real-time visualization of the needle tip, joint effusions, and the vertebral artery to ensure safe intra-articular placement.
