Cervical Medial Branch Nerve Blocks

Cervical medial branch nerve blocks are commonly applied much in the same way as the lower lumbar spine. Again, patients can develop degenerative changes of the facets, or the neck itself, where they’re experiencing pain from arthritic changes. The medial branch nerve blocks again, will denervate those areas in question and provide both a diagnostic block as well as some relief. Medial branch nerve blocks are often used to set up what we call a radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch nerves. These diagnostic blocks, shown to have more than 50 to 60% reduction in pain, are diagnostic for mechanical or axial neck pain. We can then proceed with a radiofrequency ablation of the same nerves that will allow the patient to have pain control for 6 to 8 months.