Facet Joint Injections / Medial Branch Blocks
Facet Joint Injections and Medial Branch Blocks are two types of interventional pain management procedures used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints of the spine.
Facet joint injections involve the injection of a local anaaesthetic and a corticosteroid medication into the facet joint, which is a small joint located between the vertebrae of the spine. This injection is typically performed under the guidance of advanced imaging technique to ensure accurate placement of the medication. The injection can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by conditions such as facet joint arthritis.
Medial branch blocks involve the injection of a local anaesthetic medication targeting the medial branch nerves, which are small nerves that transmit pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. This injection is also typically performed under the guidance of advanced imaging technique to ensure accurate placement. The injection can help to block pain signals and can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine if the facet joints are the source of the patient’s pain.
Facet Joint Injections and Medial Branch Blocks are typically performed in a Day Surgery Unit and take less than an hour to complete, and they are generally considered safe and effective for relieving pain caused by facet joint conditions. Your Pain Specialist can discuss the benefits and risks of these procedures with you and help determine if they are appropriate treatment options for your specific condition.
