Chronic back or neck pain can significantly affect quality of life. Medial branch blocks are a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that targets the nerves carrying pain signals from the facet joints, providing relief and helping confirm the source of pain to guide further treatment.
Medial branch blocks are most effective for pain stemming from the facet joints:
Understanding the steps can help prepare you for the procedure:
Initial preparation
You are positioned comfortably, and the target area is sterilized and numbed.
Fluoroscopic guidance
The physician uses fluoroscopy to visualize the spine and identify the medial branch nerves.
Injection
A precisely targeted injection of local anesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, blocks the pain signals.
Assess and plan
Your relief is recorded to guide whether ablation is the next step.
They are most effective for pain stemming from the facet joints, including osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and certain types of post-surgical pain.
Some patients experience relief immediately after the anesthetic is given, although the full benefit of a steroid, if used, may take a few days.
The frequency depends on your response and pain management needs. Your provider will develop a personalized plan.
Downtime is minimal. Most patients resume daily activities within 24 hours, avoiding strenuous activities for a few days.
The medial branch nerves are small nerves that feed into the facet joints and carry pain signals caused by arthritis, degeneration, or injury.
If numbing the medial branch nerves relieves your pain, it confirms the facet joints are the source, which guides further treatment such as radiofrequency ablation.
If the block gives clear but temporary relief, radiofrequency ablation of the same nerves may provide longer-lasting relief.
Our board-certified specialists can evaluate your pain and imaging. Call (321) 499-4646 to schedule.
Medial branch blocks offer:
Downtime is minimal.
Same day
Record your relief
Note how your pain changes in the hours after the block.
Within 24 hours
Back to activity
Most patients resume daily activities; avoid strenuous activity for a few days.
Follow-up
Next steps
If the block confirms facet pain, longer-lasting options such as RFA can be discussed.
Hear our patients share their experience with us, All in their own words.
Expert, ultra-minimally invasive spine and orthopedic care, close to home.
Ultra-minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques
We specialize in procedures performed through incisions smaller than a dime, sparing muscle and supporting a faster recovery.
Same-day, outpatient procedures
Most patients walk in and return home within hours, rather than facing an overnight hospital stay.
Board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons
Our team includes early leaders in endoscopic spine surgery.
A complimentary MRI review
Understand your diagnosis and options from a board-certified specialist before committing to any treatment.
Trusted by our community
More than 1,100 patient reviews at a 4.6-star average, and over 50,000 patients treated.
Precision pain management
Our specialists have extensive experience performing medial branch blocks with precision.
Comprehensive spine and orthopedic care
From injections to advanced procedures, your full continuum of care is handled in one place.
Convenient locations across the Space Coast and Orlando
Care close to home in Melbourne, Orlando (Lake Nona), and Titusville.
