TARGETED PAIN DIAGNOSIS PHOENIX, AZ
Medial Branch Blocks
A diagnostic injection to help determine if your facet joints are the source of your neck or back pain.
TREATMENT OVERVIEW
What Are Medial Branch Blocks?
Chronic neck or back pain can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know exactly what’s causing it. Sometimes, the culprit isn’t the discs or muscles, but the tiny joints in your spine called facet joints. These joints are connected to small nerves known as medial branch nerves, which carry pain signals to the brain.
A medial branch block is a diagnostic injection that temporarily numbs these nerves. If your pain improves after the injection, it confirms that your facet joints are the likely source of your discomfort. At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, with convenient clinics in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria, Arizona, we use medial branch blocks to take the guesswork out of pain and guide patients toward the right long-term treatment plan.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Could Your Facet Joints Be Causing Your Pain?
Medial branch blocks may be recommended for ongoing neck or back pain that may be related to the facet joints. Common signs include:
Ongoing neck or back pain
Pain that worsens with twisting or movement
Discomfort that hasn't improved with other treatments
Pain that may be related to facet joint arthritis
How Does An SI Joint Procedure Work?
Preparation
You’ll be positioned comfortably, and the treatment area will be cleaned.
X-Ray Guided Placement
Using live X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance, your physician carefully places a small needle near the targeted medial branch nerve.
Diagnostic Injection
A small amount of local anesthetic is injected to temporarily block the nerve’s pain signals.
Follow-Up Appointment
Your response will be monitored, and a follow-up plan can be discussed based on your results and symptoms.
What Happens After The Injection?
You may experience temporary numbness or pain relief following your medial branch block. Your response to the injection helps your care team determine whether the facet joints may be contributing to your symptoms.
Your physician may recommend additional diagnostic evaluation or discuss treatment options, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), depending on your results.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Find Out If Medial Branch Blocks Are Right For You
Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your symptoms, review your options, and determine if medial branch blocks may be appropriate for your care plan.