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Medial Branch Facet Blocks
Role of a Medial Branch Block
A medial branch nerve block is a procedure in which an anesthetic is injected near small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint. Typically several levels of the spine are injected in one procedure.
If the patient experiences marked pain relief immediately after the injection, then the facet joint is determined to be the source of the patient's pain.
The procedure is primarily diagnostic, meaning that if the patient has the appropriate duration of pain relief after the medial branch nerve block, then he or she may be a candidate for a subsequent procedure - called a medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (or ablation) - for longer term pain relief.
Frequently Asked
Questions
A radiofrequency neurotomy is a type of injection procedure in which a heat lesion is created on the nerve that transmits the pain signal to the brain. The goal of a radiofrequency neurotomy is to interrupt the pain signal to the brain, while preserving other functions, such as normal sensation and muscle strength.
At times, a medial branch block is tried after the patient has already been treated with one or more facet joint injections, although this is not always the case.
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