What is a Medial Branch Block
Diagnostic Injection?
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A Medial Branch Block Diagnostic Injections is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if a specific facet joint is the source of a patient’s back or neck pain. It’s a minimally invasive procedure where a local anaesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves, which are small nerves that transmit pain signals from the spine’s facet joints. The injection temporarily blocks the pain sensation from the affected facet joint, helping to identify whether that joint is the root cause of the patient’s discomfort. This diagnostic tool assists in developing a targeted treatment plan for the patient’s pain management.
1. Chronic or recurrent back or neck pain, especially in the area of the spine.
2. Pain worsens by specific movements or activities, such as bending or twisting.
3. Previous treatments like medication or physical therapy have provided limited relief.
4. Suspected facet joint involvement based on clinical examination or imaging studies.
What does a Medial Branch Block Diagnostic Injection Treat?
Facet joint pain :
Pain originating from the facet joints of the spine.
Chronic back or neck pain :
Persistent pain in the back or neck region suspected to be related to facet joint dysfunction.
Pain management :
It is used as a diagnostic tool to guide further treatment options, such as radiofrequency ablation or facet joint injections.