When the medial branch nerve moves out from the facet joints of the spine, it shoots pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. Medial branch blocks are local anesthetic injections which are used to disrupt the pain signals that are sent to the brain from the facet joints. Medial branch blocks can also be used to diagnose sacroiliac joint pain.
The Pain Relief Center and many other medical institutions may help you with the treatment of low back pain. These institutions use medial branch blocks as a tool to diagnose the root of the low back pain.
The procedurefor using a medial branch block
- The patient is asked to lie in a prone position,e., on your stomach.
- The patient is then asked to keep a pillow under the abdomen.
- The doctors than anesthetizing the skin of the low back.
- They use the guidance of fluoroscopic to identify the bony landmarks.
- The needles are then inserted at the area of medial branch blockade.
- A contrast solution is injected in a small amount to see whether the medication will stay in the affected area.
- Once it is confirmed the doctor may inject the long-lasting
- The patient then cares for nearly 20 minutes.
Points to be considered if the treatment includes sedation
- The patient should not have any solid food for 6 hours before the procedure.
- The patient can have any liquid beverages until 2 hours before the procedure.
- If a patient has any heart or blood pressure problem, he/she should take their medications on the day of treatment.
- A person having diabetes should also take their regular medication.
There is no diet instruction if sedation is not used as a part of the procedure. If the patient feels any side effects of the procedure like bleeding, infection, or no relief the patient should inform the details to the physician.
