Facet Blocks
What is a Medial Branch Block?
The medial branch nerve block (the nerves carrying pain signals from the facet joint to the spinal cord) temporarily stops the nerve’s ability to carry pain signals to the brain, which in turn will determine if the facet joint(s) is the source of pain. Medial branch nerves are the small nerves that carry pain signal to the brain from the facet joint in the spine. These nerves do not control any major muscles or carry any sensation to the arms or legs, so there is no danger of negatively affecting other pain sensing processes with this injection.
This injection is a procedure in which a long-acting numbing agent is injected near small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint (also called a zygapophysial joint or Z-joint) under live X-ray, known as fluoroscopy. Live X-ray helps in placing the needle and avoiding injury.
What Conditions Can Be Treated with Medial Branch Block?
Sometimes the facet joints can become inflamed. This pain can range from a simple tight feeling in the low back to more severe pain. You may have facet-mediated pain if the pain has lasted longer than a few months. The MBB is used to determine if the zygapophysial (facet) joint is the source of pain.
REQUEST APPOINTMENT
If you are suffering from low-back pain, neck pain, herniated disc, sciatica, pinched nerve and have been researching minimally invasive spine surgery as well as laser spine surgery, schedule an appointment to speak to Dr. T and Microspine Team today.
REQUEST APPOINTMENT
If you are suffering from low-back pain, neck pain, herniated disc, sciatica, pinched nerve and have been researching minimally invasive spine surgery as well as laser spine surgery, schedule an appointment to speak to Dr. T and Microspine Team today.
Microspine
Office
14300 N Northsight Blvd, #213. Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: 602-833-2141
Fax: 602-610-3878
Office hours M-F: 8 AM to 5 PM
By appointment only
Dr. T serves the areas of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, SanTan, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Anthem, Cave Creek, Suncity, Suncity west, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tucson, Maricopa, Safford, Showlow, CasaGrande, Payson, Sedona, Yuma, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Flagstaff and surrounding areas.