Medial branch blocks serve an important diagnostic purpose. They help identify whether the small facet joints along your spine are causing your pain. This information is essential for determining the most effective treatment approach.
When medial branch blocks confirm facet joint pain, patients often become candidates for radiofrequency ablation, which provides longer lasting relief. The diagnostic block ensures that more advanced treatment will target the correct source.
What are Medial Branch Blocks?
Medial branch nerves are small nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. A medial branch block temporarily numbs these nerves using local anesthetic, interrupting pain signals from the suspected joints.
If your pain significantly improves after the injection, this confirms that the facet joints are a primary source of your symptoms. The block itself provides temporary relief lasting several hours, but its main value is diagnostic.
What Do Medial Branch Blocks Treat?
Medial branch blocks are used to diagnose facet joint pain in the neck, mid back, or lower back. Facet pain typically causes localized aching that worsens with certain movements such as bending backward or twisting.
In the lower back, facet pain may spread into the buttocks or upper thighs. In the neck, it may radiate to the shoulders or base of the skull. Medial branch blocks help confirm whether these joints are responsible for your symptoms.
How Do Medial Branch Blocks Work?
The procedure works by temporarily blocking the nerves that transmit pain signals from the facet joints. If these specific nerves are carrying your pain signals, numbing them will provide immediate relief.
Insurance typically requires two separate blocks showing consistent relief before approving radiofrequency ablation. This ensures an accurate diagnosis and predicts a successful outcome from the longer lasting procedure.
What to Expect During the Procedure
You will lie face down on a procedure table. After numbing the skin, Dr. Sperzel uses fluoroscopy to guide small needles to the medial branch nerves near the suspected facet joints. Local anesthetic is then injected around each nerve.
The procedure takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many levels are treated. You may feel brief pressure or mild discomfort during needle placement. The numbing effect begins within minutes.
Recovery Timeline
Following the procedure, you will be asked to perform activities that normally provoke your pain. This helps determine how much relief the block provides. Keep a pain diary for the hours following the injection.
You may resume normal activities the same day. Any soreness at the injection sites typically resolves within a day or two. Dr. Sperzel will review your response to determine whether radiofrequency ablation is appropriate.
