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Medial Branch Block
A medial branch nerve block is a procedure of injecting a potent local anesthetic into the medial branch nerves that are connected to a specific facet joint.
Allen Finney
Review
Young ladies behind the counter were nice and professional. Dr. Khan was and is awesome. You felt he really cared which I have not felt in the 2 years I've been injured. Only reason I did not give it 5 stars was the hard time I had finding it.
charles griffin
Review
Have been doing a wonderful job with help with my nerve pain, listen to me, and my request no to be put on pain killers but to help find the problem, always return calls so glad is was referred to them.
Stacey Mejia
Review
Awesome staff Dr. Kahn is a really good Doctor he listens and is a helping man!! I appreciate all of your guys work you do for your patients!! You even call to give reminder the day before your appointment! Again that's so awesome!!
Forrest Hammer
Review
NOTHING BUT THE BEST. ABLE TO WALK. ABLE TO PERFORM TASKS THAT I COULDN'T FOR A LONG TIME, LIKE DAILY WALKING, BENDING OVER, CARRYING GROCERIES AND ENJOYING A MOVIE AT THE CINEMA. THANK YOU DR. ASIM KAHN.
Jeanne Neathery
Review
Dr RYklin is amazing. He treats each patient as if you’re his only one. I’ve been seeing him for 7yrs due to a neck injury. He definitely finds what pain management meets your individual needs. The practitioners are amazing as well!!!!
Marty Klopper
Review
Pain Dr office. Staff is friendly and professional. Lots of paper work to be filled out. Office was clean and neat. Masks on Staff at all times and required for patients to enter. Will be going back for follow-up appointments.
What is a medial branch block?
The zygapophysial joints or more commonly known as the facet joints is a section of the skeletal structure of the spinal column. The facet joints are tiny blunt projections from one vertebra, joining with bony studs from the vertebra on top and at the bottom. At times, because of a number of severe, and persistent conditions, the facet joints can get inflamed.
For lumbar or lower back facet joints, the pain normally radiates from the lower back and radiates across and slightly down behind the rump and upper thighs. For cervical facet joints, the direction of the pain is from the neck with slight radiation traversing across the shoulders, with a more painful symptom when the neck or head is turned from side to side.
How is a medial branch block administered?
1. Preparation
The patient lies down on their stomach while getting ready for the procedure. A medication to relax your nerve is given while the skin and tissue of the back are desensitized using a local anesthetic. This also desensitizes the skin and tissue covering the facet joint that is allegedly the source of the patient's pain.
2. Contrast Dye Injected
After that the tissue has been desensitized, the doctor slides a needle into the skin which is skillfully inserted down to the facet joint, with the help of a contrast solution, the physician marks the area with the use of an x-ray camera called a fluoroscope. The fluoroscope generates real-time X-ray images, which the physician uses to validate the location of the needle’s tip.
3. Anesthetic Injected
After the physician has validated the needle tip’s position, the doctor installs a syringe containing the anesthetics to the needle. This medication is then administered around the medial branch nerves. The anesthetic blocks the pain signals from the facet joints going to the brain.
4. End of Procedure
If the injection of the anesthetic was successful in relieving the patient’s pain, the physician may opt to use a stronger and a longer-lasting anesthetic. Should the procedure fails to relieve the pain, the physician may opt to test nearby facet joints to find out the correct one.
Learn more about Medial Branch Block and how AZ Pain and Spine Institute uses it to treat conditions and alleviate pain.
Why choose AZ Pain and Spine Institute for your treatment?
We are a team of pain management doctors and specialists. Our physicians have double board certification in their chosen fields and have undergone additional fellowships in pain management. Our professionals have also received advanced medical training in minimally invasive spinal procedures and pain management, including Medial Branch Block.