Diagnostic Medial Branch Block
At the Center for Pain & Spine, we understand that chronic pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life. That’s why we provide a range of innovative pain management services to help you find relief from back pain and other spinal pain problems. If you have persistent pain, a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block may be an effective diagnostic technique to help you determine the best course of treatment for you.
The Purpose of the Procedure
What is a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block?
A Diagnostic Medial Branch Block is a procedure that involves injecting a strong local anesthetic into the medial branch nerves that connect to the inflamed facet joints in your spine. These joints, part of the bony network of the spine projecting from the vertebrae, can cause dull to severe pain in the lower back, neck, shoulders, and thighs when inflamed.
A Diagnostic Medial Branch Block serves as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for patients with chronic pain stemming from the facet joints. By targeting the medial branch nerves with a powerful local anesthetic, the procedure helps to temporarily block pain signals from the affected joints, providing relief and valuable information about the origin of the pain. This information assists your healthcare provider in creating a tailored treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your discomfort, potentially leading to long-term pain relief and improved function. The Diagnostic Medial Branch Block is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that can be an essential step in identifying the most effective treatment options for individuals suffering from persistent back, neck, shoulder, and thigh pain.
The Medial Branch Block Process
Preparing for the Procedure
The Diagnostic Medial Branch Block is performed at the Center for Pain & Spine, with no hospitalization required. You’ll be monitored for blood pressure and oxygenation throughout the procedure.
During the Procedure
You’ll lie on your stomach for a back injection or on your side for neck injections. Our skilled doctor will carefully inject a small volume of local anesthetic along the location of each medial branch nerve. You might feel a pinch and a slight burning sensation as the needle is inserted, but the procedure is generally not painful.
After the Procedure
After a brief recovery period at our clinic under a nurse’s supervision, you’ll be able to go home.
Expected Outcomes
Pain Relief
Many patients experience a reduction or elimination of their pain, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Identifying Effective Treatment
The degree of pain relief you experience after the Diagnostic Medial Branch Block is crucial for determining how effective further therapy, such as lesioning the medial branch nerves, will be in managing or eliminating your back and neck pain.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block?
The primary purpose of a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block is to help determine the effectiveness of further therapy, such as lesioning the medial branch nerves, in managing or eliminating back and neck pain.
How long does the pain relief from a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block last?
The duration of pain relief varies from patient to patient, ranging from a few hours to a few days.
What should I expect during the Diagnostic Medial Branch Block procedure?
During the procedure, you will lie on your stomach or side, depending on the injection site. You may feel a pinch and a slight burning sensation as the needle is inserted, but the procedure is generally not painful.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block?
Common side effects include pain at the injection site, which is typically temporary. Rare side effects include bleeding and nerve damage.
What types of insurance do you accept at Center for Pain & Spine?
- Medicare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- United Health Care
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Scripps Health
- Health Net
- Alignment Health Plan
- Personal Injury Protection/ Med-Pay
- Personal Injury on Lien Basis
- Self-pay
We have applied to other carriers and are waiting to hear back. If you don't see your insurance listed, call to check that the list is up to date and discuss alternative options.
How can I schedule a consultation at the Center for Pain & Spine?
Contact the Center for Pain & Spine to schedule an informative consultation and discuss the benefits of a Diagnostic Medial Branch Block for your specific medical condition and degree of pain.
Expert
Comprehensive Care
Our clinic offers comprehensive care for back and spine pain and our team of experts is trained in a range of procedures to effectively manage back and spine pain.
Botox
Cervical Facet Injections
Sacro-Iliac Joint Injection
Diagnostic Medial Branch Block
Lumbar Facet Injection
Treatment
Advanced Techniques
We utilize advanced techniques to effectively manage back and spine pain. These procedures have been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving quality of life.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy
CERVICAL RADIOFREQUENCY NEUROTOMY
Joint Injection
Discography
Procedures
Minimally Invasive
If you are suffering from back and spine pain, our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures that have a high success rate in reducing pain and improving mobility. These procedures can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Kyphoplasty
Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection
Thoracic Facet Injection
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
Spinal Cord Stimulator
Spinal Decompression
Treat Your Pain
Don’t Let Pain Hold You Back
Call Now
(760) 385-3031
Office
2301 S Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92081
Monday - Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 1pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed