If your doctor has recommended a medial branch block to help with chronic neck or back pain, understanding how these injections work and how long they last can be vital to feeling confident about the treatments.
At Advanced Spine and Pain, we have experience with various treatments to help relieve neck and back pain. If you are considering a medial branch block and want to learn more, call us today at (480) 573-0130 or contact us online.
Let’s take a closer look at some facts about medial branch blocks.
What is a Medial Branch Block?
A medial branch block is an injection performed near the medial branch nerves in the spinal column. These nerves send pain signals from facet joints in the spine when there is inflammation or an injury. Injecting a local anesthetic or steroid medication near these nerves blocks the pain signal, leading to temporary relief.
How Long Does a Medial Branch Block Last?
It’s important to understand that medial branch blocks only temporarily relieve pain. They are used primarily as diagnostic injections1. If the medication works, it is a positive sign that your neck or back pain is coming from the medial nerves and facet joints. The results will allow the healthcare provider to recommend a long-term treatment option.
A medial branch block usually lasts only a few hours. In some cases, it may last a few days. Of course, other types of injections can offer long-lasting pain relief. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, a healthcare provider will help find a more permanent solution.
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What Kind of Pain Does a Medial Branch Block Diagnose?
Medial branch blocks can be given to diagnose facet joint pain along the spine.
Two types of injections can be administered. A lumbar medial branch block is used to diagnose low back (lumbar) facet joint pain, and a cervical medial branch block is used to diagnose neck (cervical) facet joint pain. Both injections can temporarily prevent pain signals from traveling through the medial branch nerves and narrow down exactly where the pain is coming from.
What Happens Next After a Medial Branch Block?
If you still have pain after a medial branch block, the source of your back or neck pain may not be from the facet joints.
When a medial branch block relieves pain, it helps doctors identify facet joints as the source of pain. If appropriate, the facet joints can then be treated with procedures like a facet joint injection or radiofrequency ablation.
To confirm the diagnosis, a medial branch block is often performed twice2 before your certified pain specialist or other healthcare provider recommends a treatment plan.
Interested in Learning More About Medial Branch Blocks?
If you’re interested in a medial branch block to help diagnose the source of your back or neck pain, the expert team at Advanced Spine and Pain can help you weigh all your options and design a treatment plan to achieve the best pain relief.
Contact us online or call us at (480) 573-0130 today to learn more.
References
- Lawson, G. E., Nolet, P. S., Little, A. R., Bhattacharyya, A., Wang, V., Lawson, C. A., & Ko, G. D. (2020). Medial Branch Blocks for Diagnosis of Facet Joint Pain Etiology and Use in Chronic Pain Litigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 7932. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217932
- Derby, R., Melnik, I., Choi, J., Lee, J.-E., Spinal Diagnostics and Treatment Center, Stanford University Department of Orthopedic Surgery, & Korea University Graduate School of Medicine. (2013). Indications for repeat diagnostic medial branch nerve blocks following a failed first medial branch nerve block. In Pain Physician (Vol. 16, pp. 479–488). https://comprehensivespineandsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Indications-Repeat-Diagnostic-Blocks.pdf
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