Medial Branch Block (MBB) is a procedure used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints of the spine. The facet joints are located on the back of the spine and allow for movement and stability of the vertebrae. Medial branch nerves are small nerves that transmit pain signals from the facet joints to the brain.
During the procedure, a local anesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves to block the pain signals. If the patient experiences significant pain relief after the injection, it confirms that the pain is originating from the facet joints. This can help doctors diagnose the source of the pain and determine the best treatment options, which may include radiofrequency ablation, physical therapy, or medication management.
Medial branch blocks are typically used to treat chronic neck and back pain caused by arthritis, injury, or degenerative conditions of the spine. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis and has few side effects.
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