What is a Medial Branch Block?

Medial Branch nerves are very small nerve branches that communicate pain caused by the facet joints in the spine. These nerves do not control any muscles or sensation in the arms or legs. They are located along a bony Groove in the low back and neck and over a bone in the mid back. The purpose of the Medial Branch Block procedure is to determine if the facet joints are painful. There is no other tests which gives this information. CT scans and MRI scans will not tell if the facet joints are painful this test is only temporary but if it shows the joints to be painful a long-term procedure radio-frequency lesioning, can be performed

Procedure Overview

And IV will be started, if necessary, to provide relaxation medication. The patient is placed on the X-ray table and positioned in such a way that the position, using the X-ray guidance, visualize the Bony areas where the medical Branch nerves pass. The skin is scrubbed with prep solution. Next, The Physician numbs a small area of skin with numbing medicine. This medicine stings for several seconds. After the numbing medicine has had time to take effect, the physician uses x-ray guidance to detect a very small needle near the specific nerve being tested. A small amount of contrast (dye clothes parentheses is injected to ensure proper needle position. Then, a small amount of numbing medicine (anesthetic) is injected. This generally does not provoke a patient’s usual pain like the joint injections may have.

Procedure Details

Will you be asleep for the procedure? If is not necessary for you to go to sleep for this procedure; however you will receive enough medication to keep you comfortable.

How long will the procedure take? Normally, a Medial Branch Block takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The session can take longer if you are having more than one injection.

Before the Procedure

Since you will be receiving medication, it is recommended that you do not eat within eight hours before the procedure. If you are a diabetic, be sure to discuss eating and medication with your doctor. You may need to stop taking certain medications several days before the procedure. Please remind the doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, including herbal and vitamin supplements. The doctor will tell you if and when you need to discontinue the medications.

It is very important to tell the doctor if you have asthma, or any allergic reactions (i.e. hives, itchiness, difficulty beatheing) any treatment which required hospitalization to the injected dye for a previous radiology exam (CT San, Angiogram, etc.) or if you have had an allergic reation to shellfish (shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab, etc.) The doctor may prescribe some medications for you to take before having the procedure. Tell the doctor if you develop a cold, fever, or flu symptoms before your scheduled appointment.

After the Procedure

After your discharge from the pain center, it is very important that you engage in activities which would normally provoke your pain. If you do not, the test will not give a valid result. Remember, this is a temporary procedure and return of your pain is expected. Please know when your pain returns.  Also, you will need to call the painters on the same day, 2-3 hours after your discharge to discuss how the block worked. The results of this has been determined what further diagnostic or therapeutic procedures will be needed.

Procedure Risks

The risks, although infrequent include:

• Allergic reaction to the medication
• Nerve Damage
• Bruising at the injection site
• Infection at the injection site
• Injection of medication into a blood vessel