TREATMENTS & PROCEDURES

MEDIAL BRANCH BLOCK

Medial Branch Block is an injection of a local anesthetic near the medial branch nerves to temporarily block the pain signal carried from the facet joints of the spine to the brain. It is used to assist your physician in diagnosing the cause of your back pain.

Facet joints are the joints connecting the different vertebrae of the spine to each other. Medial branch nerves are small nerves that supply the facet joints of the spine. If a medial branch block is successful in confirming the patient’s back pain is originating from the facet joints, Radio Frequency Rhizotomy is indicated to provide longer pain relief.

INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Medial branch block injections are usually indicated in patients with back pain originating from arthritic changes in the facet joints or from mechanical stress to the back. A medial branch block can be performed for the diagnosis or treatment of pain arising from the facet joints.

The procedure cannot be performed on patients taking blood-thinning medications or who have an active infection. Also, inform your doctor if you are allergic to medications used for the procedure. Be sure to discuss these situations with your physician before the procedure.