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Medial Branch Blocks
Medial branch blocks are injections of local anesthetic into nerves in your spinal canal. Double board-certified Munish Loomba, MD, of Advance Comprehensive Pain Care, Inc. in California, uses medial branch blocks to identify the source of persistent neck and back pain. They also help him determine whether advanced treatments like radiofrequency ablation could relieve your pain. To find out how medial branch blocks could help you, call your nearest office in Moreno Valley, Riverside, or Rancho Cucamonga or book an appointment online today.
Medial Branch Blocks Q & A
What are medial branch blocks?
Medial branch blocks are injections are injections provided to specific parts of the spine to determine source of neck and back pain. They have local anesthetic to numb the area.
What happens when I have a medial branch block?
A medial branch block injection doesn’t require sedation, but you have an anesthetic on your skin at the injection site. Using X-ray imaging technology (fluoroscopy), Dr. Loomba inserts a slender needle and places it over the medial branch nerves in your spine.
He injects a small quantity of contrast dye to ensure the medicine will cover the medial branch nerves. When everything is in the right place, Dr. Loomba injects the medial branch block anesthetic onto each targeted nerve.
The injection process takes just a few minutes, and the whole procedure is between 15 and 30 minutes. Afterward, you rest for 20 to 30 minutes in the recovery area.
What happens after a medial branch block injection?
To see if the medial branch block injection has had an effect, Dr. Loomba asks you to do something that would usually cause pain. If the action isn’t painful, he knows which facet joint needs treating.
The effects of your medial branch block injection might last for four to six hours. If you get significant pain relief over this period, you’re likely to be a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation treatment.
Radiofrequency ablation uses targeted heat to damage the nerves identified by the medial branch block. It’s an effective long-term way of relieving pain in your spine.
To find out more about medial branch blocks and how they help relieve chronic pain, call Advance Comprehensive Pain Care, Inc. today or book an appointment online.