A Medial Branch block, also known as a facet Injection, is a common form of treatment for patients experiencing axial back pain at Park West Pain Management, located on 1 West 85th Street in Manhattan, New York and in Staten Island, New York. A medial branch block is performed when it is confirmed that a facet joint is the source of your pain.  A medial branch is a branch of your nerve root that supplies innervation to the facet joint, thus a medial branch block can decrease pain and inflammation in a facet joint or joints. The facet joints are the joints in the back that allow the spine to flex, extend, and rotate. The can be damaged or get arthritis just as any other joint in your body.

A median nerve block is specifically performed by inserting a small needle (usually 25 or 27 gauge) into the area where the nerve that innervates the facet travels. During a medial branch block, you can be given medication to help you relax, then a local anesthetic in the skin around the area of the back where the needle will be inserted. Remember, you DO NOT need anesthesia most of the time because the needles are so small! The doctor watches on a fluoroscope as he inserts the needle to make sure it goes into the accurate region (a fluoroscope is a special X-ray TV that allows the doctor to see both your spine and the needle). Once the doctor is sure the needle is on the median nerve, he will inject a combination of anesthetic into the area(less than ½ of 1 cc).  In total, the facet block procedure takes less than 10 minutes.

If you are interested in a median branch nerve block to manage your pain or treat your pain, the doctors of Park West Pain Management of Manhattan, New York and Staten Island, New York would be happy to see you for a consultation and help you learn about the treatment options available to you.