Facet Joint Pain Relief
Facet joints in the spine appear between and behind the vertebrae, and they help to provide flexibility and movement. When these joints become damaged or inflamed, they cause severe back pain that occurs when an individual bends or rotates their spine. There are several conditions that can create pain in the facet joints, which is why Dr. Raeson Hodge performs facet & medial branch blocks to diagnose if the facet joint is the source of back pain.
To learn more about our Sewell, New Jersey facet & medial branch blocks, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!
What Is a Facet and Medial Branch Block?
Facet joints in the spine appear between and behind the vertebrae, and they help to provide flexibility and movement. However, when these joints become damaged or inflamed, they cause severe back pain that occurs when an individual bends or rotates their spine. There are several conditions that can create pain in the facet joints, which is why Sewell, New Jersey of CRESCENT PAIN AND SPINE performs medial branch blocks to diagnose if the facet joint is the source of back pain.
A medial branch block is typically a diagnostic procedure that works by injecting a numbing medicine into the medial nerves that are connected to the facet joints. If there is significant pain relief after the injection, then the facet joint can be diagnosed as the source of the previous back pain.
Dr. Raeson Hodge will perform a medial branch block if the patient has already received a facet joint injection to see if a facet rhizotomy is needed.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
An ideal candidate for a facet block can be any individual who is experiencing:
- Significant back pain when bending or twisting their spine.
- Chronic neck pain when bending or twisting the spine.
Dr. Raeson Hodge may suggest a medial branch block as a diagnostic test and if it is successful, other treatments may be recommended. A medial branch block can help to determine if a facet rhizotomy may be a successful next step in the treatment of back pain. Dr. Raeson Hodge can consult with you to help you decide if a medial branch block is the best form of treatment for you.
Procedure Technique
A medial branch block is performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under a local anesthetic. Dr. Raeson Hodge will guide a small needle into the correct position using a fluoroscopy x-ray. Once the needle is placed over the medial branch nerve, Dr. Raeson Hodge will inject the numbing anesthetic into the nerve. Several nerves can be completed with one treatment.
What to Expect Post-Treatment
Following the procedure, patients may need to be monitored before they are allowed to leave the outpatient center. They may also need to perform certain movements and record their pain levels to ensure the success of the procedure. Typically, pain relief can be felt within hours following the procedure, but results may vary from patient to patient. A follow-up appointment with Dr. Raeson Hodge will be held so that he can recommend further treatment options.
Diagnose Your Pain
Neck and back pain can originate from several different conditions and locations in the spine. Dr. Raeson Hodge of CRESCENT PAIN AND SPINE can help diagnose and treat your chronic pain using a medial branch block procedure, which works by finding the exact source of your pain.
Call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lewis to learn more about our treatment options.
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