WHAT IS IT?
The medial branch nerves lead to joints in the back of the spinal column called facet joints. They carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. When the facet joints are causing pain, these medial branch nerves can be blocked with local anesthetic under x-ray guidance for temporary pain relief and to determine that the pain is in fact coming from the facet joints. Special high-energy instruments can also be used to disrupt the nerves to provide long-lasting relief.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
There is some risk of bleeding, infection, allergic reactions, nerve or blood vessel damage, side effects from medication and failure of pain relief. Rare but serious risks include damage to a spinal nerve or inadvertent injection into the spinal column.