Use these questions to diagnose if facet injry is likely

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2 Does the pain shoot like an electric bolt into your arm below the elbow?

Click on the doc to continue to question 3.

YES

This could be a signal of some nerve damage - I would advise you to see a neurologist to check on this point before proceeding with this diagnostic.

5. From the answers given there is a fair chance that you have suffered some damage to one or more of the facet joints in the cervical spine. On the next page you may be able to ascertain which of the joints in the neck have most likely been damaged. Click on the doc to continue.

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3. How long have you had the neck pain?

More than three months.

Click on the doc to go to question 4.

It's probably too early to consider facet injury as the cause of pain. Anything under 3 months isn't really giving the body enough time to heal itself - and it is likely that this will occur. Treatment at this stage should concentrate on attempting to minimize the pain and the impact it has. Click for some ideas.

Less than three months.

4. Is the neck pain better than 3 months ago or about the same severity (little or no improvement)?

Better

There is a good chance that you shall continue to see improvement, the body will heal itself and no surgical intervention will be necessary. If no improvement occurs over a period of 3 months then intervention may be necessary. Click on the doc for some ideas that may help to deal with the pain

No improvement

If you haven't improved for this period the body has probably done all the healing its going to and you may require some intervention. Click on the doc to continue.

1. Do you have loss of feeling in one or both arms?

Click on the doc to continue to question 2.

YES

This could be a signal of some nerve damage - I would advise you to see a neurologist to check on this point before proceeding with this diagnostic.