Treatment
Medial Branch Blocks
Facet joints are 2 small joints located at each segment of the spine. These facet joints supplied by 2 medial nerves that carry pain signals from spine to brain.
Medial nerves named as cervical, thoracic & Lumbo sacral medical branch nerves depending on segment of spine.
This medial branch nerves don’t have role in muscle function or carrying sensation from arms or legs to brain so there is no harm with this injection.
SYMPTOMS
- Facet joint syndrome is an arthritis like condition - so severe back & neck pain. Pain worse following sleep or rest. Worsens on twisting bending backward & standing.
- Dull ache pain on one side or both sides. Unlike disc pain or scitica- facet joint pain doesn't extend down the legs.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACET JOINT & MEDIAL BRANCH INJECTION
- Facet joint injection: drug injected into one of joint in the spine.
- medial branch block injection: drug injected outside joint space near the nerve which supplies joint.