If you have been diagnosed with cervical facet joint pain (zygapophysial joint arthropathy) you may be a candidate for a cervical radiofrequency neurotomy. Neurotomy is a procedure which results i n interruption of the nerve supply to a facet joint. This interruption, known as denervation, is accomplished by a radio-frequency (RF) probe that heats the 2 small nerve branches to each facet joint. From the C3-4 through C7-T1 levels in the cervical spine (neck) these nerves are called the medial branches. At the C2-3 level, the nerve is called the third occipital nerve (TON).
