Medial Branch Blocks for Pain Management
Medial Branch Blocks
Treatment Overview
A medial branch block injection is designed to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints in the spine, which are small joints that stabilize the vertebrae during movement. By injecting numbing medication into the nerves supplying these joints, the procedure can identify whether the facet joints are the source of your back pain and provide targeted relief.
Medial branch blocks also serve as a diagnostic tool to confirm if specific spinal nerves are causing the pain. If the injection provides temporary relief, it suggests that these nerves are involved, making more therapeutic procedures like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) a viable treatment option.
How the Procedure Works
During the procedure, a small amount of local anesthetic — sometimes accompanied by a corticosteroid — is injected near the medial branch nerves. If significant pain relief occurs after the injection, it shows that the facet joints are the most likely source of pain, so a more comprehensive and custom treatment plan can then be developed.
Who Benefits from Medial Branch Blocks
Medial branch blocks are beneficial for diagnosing and treating pain related to:
- Chronic Low Back Pain: Persistent pain in the lower back that may not respond to other treatments.
- Facet Joint Pain: Pain originating from the small joints between the vertebrae in the spine, which help with stability and movement.
- Neck Pain: Pain in the cervical spine that could be caused by facet joint issues.
- Recurrent Spinal Pain: Pain that recurs despite other interventions.
What to Expect
- Preparation: A small, specialized needle is inserted near the facet joints using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement.
- Procedure: A local anesthetic is injected around the medial branch nerves to block pain signals from the facet joints. This helps determine if these joints are the source of your pain.
- Recovery: After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort at the injection site. Most people can resume normal activities quickly, and follow-up care will focus on evaluating the block’s effectiveness in diagnosing and managing pain.
Insurance & Billing
Your eligibility for any procedure depends on the benefits outlined by your insurance provider, and our team at Nura will assist you with the authorization process.
Comprehensive Care
At Nura, we seamlessly integrate interventional procedures, physical therapy, psychological support and medications. Research shows that this comprehensive approach is the most effective way to manage chronic pain.
Find Pain Relief
Schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists by filling out our appointment request form or giving us a call at 763-537-6000.
