Are you struggling with neck or back pain that won’t respond to rest or medication? Medial branch blocks at Arête Health Group target the small nerves that supply your facet joints, helping to diagnose and relieve pain caused by arthritis, injury, or inflammation.
Identify and Ease
Spinal Nerve Pain
Medial branch blocks are targeted injections used to diagnose and relieve pain coming from the facet joints in your spine. These small joints can become inflamed due to arthritis, injury, or wear and tear. During the procedure, a local anesthetic, sometimes along with an anti-inflammatory medication, is injected near the medial branch nerves that transmit pain signals. By temporarily interrupting these signals, your provider can confirm the source of your pain.
Medial Branch Blocks Diagnose/Treat:
- Chronic neck pain (cervical facet joint pain)
- Mid-back pain (thoracic facet joint pain)
- Lower back pain (lumbar facet joint pain)
- Pain from spinal osteoarthritis (facet joint arthritis)
- Pain following whiplash or injury
- Pain related to degenerative disc disease affecting the facet joints
- Localized spine pain without nerve root compression (non-radiating pain)
- Pain that worsens with twisting, bending, or prolonged standing
How Medial Branch Blocks Work
Medial branch blocks work by interrupting pain signals traveling from the facet joints to your brain. These joints are supplied by small medial branch nerves that carry sensory information, including pain caused by inflammation or arthritis. Your provider uses imaging guidance to place a small amount of local anesthetic, often with an anti-inflammatory medication, near these nerves. This temporarily numbs them, preventing pain signals from reaching your brain. If your pain improves, it confirms the facet joints as the source and helps guide your long-term treatment plan.
Benefits of Medial Branch Blocks:
- Minimally invasive, in-office procedure
- Provides fast, targeted pain relief
- Helps accurately diagnose the source of spine pain
- Reduces the need for more invasive treatments
- Can improve mobility and daily function
- Little to no downtime after treatment
- Can guide next steps, including longer-lasting pain relief options
FAQs
How Long Does Pain Relief From Medial Branch Blocks Last?
Relief can vary. Some people experience only a few hours of relief from the anesthetic, while others may feel better for several days with an anti-inflammatory medication. Even temporary relief is meaningful as it helps your provider confirm that your facet joints are the source of your pain and determine the most effective next step.
Are Medial Branch Blocks Painful?
Most people tolerate the procedure well. You may feel a small pinch or brief pressure during the injection, but discomfort is typically minimal and short-lived. Your provider may use a numbing agent on the skin to keep you comfortable throughout the process.
How Quickly Will I Notice Results?
You may notice pain relief within minutes to hours after the procedure due to the local anesthetic. Your provider may ask you to track your pain levels over the next several hours or days. This feedback is important in confirming the diagnosis and planning further treatment.
What Happens if the Block Relieves My Pain?
If you experience significant relief, it strongly suggests that your facet joints are the source of your discomfort. From there, your provider may recommend a longer-lasting solution, such as radiofrequency ablation, which targets the same nerves to provide sustained relief.
How Many Medial Branch Blocks Will I Need?
In some cases, your provider may recommend more than one diagnostic block to confirm consistent results. This helps ensure that the correct nerves are being targeted before moving forward with longer-term treatments.
Schedule Your Consultation
When’s the last time you saw a provider who truly listened to your pain and understood your goals? At Arête Health Group in Paramus, you’re more than a diagnosis: you’re a person who deserves thoughtful, personalized care. Our team takes the time to identify the source of your discomfort and guide you toward lasting relief. Schedule your consultation for medial branch blocks in Paramus today.
