MEDIAL BRANCH BLOCK
Reasons to perform the procedure:
This procedure is generally offered if you are experiencing chronic pain which is likely to be due to facet joint in the neck, torso, or lower back area. It is used as a method to assess the contribution of facet joint irritation to your experience of pain.
Before the Procedure:
You will be informed where and when to report for the procedure. You may be asked not to eat or drink after midnight the night before. You will be examined by your doctor and asked to rate your pain.
Description of the Procedure:
Once the informed consent has been obtained, your specialist anaesthetist will insert an intravenous (IV) catheter in your hand or arm, and you shall be placed in prone position which means laying on your abdomen throughout the procedure.
After this, your anaesthetist is going to produce a twilight or sedation experience to ensure you are comfortable and safe. Under the Xray guidance, your pain specialist is going to insert needles through the skin to reach the target area before injection of local anaesthetic with or without steroid.
After the Procedure:
You will go to the recovery room to be monitored. You will then be asked to rate your pain for first 6 hours after the procedure. Your IV will be discontinued, and you will be discharged home.
If there is substantial reduction in your pain level before and after the procedure, then you are likely to benefit from an ablative therapy for longer lasting pain relief effect.
Medial branch block recovery time is generally between 6-12 hours.
Potential Complications:
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Bleeding
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Infection
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Temporary numbness/ weakness of the legs due to the effect of local anaesthetics
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Adverse reactions due to the anaesthetics
Follow-up:
You are either going to be booked for an ablative therapy or another appointment for review in the clinic to discuss the next suitable steps for your treatment.