Medial Branch Blocks

Nerve Block Injections (Diagnostic Medial Branch Blocks)

Diagnostic nerve blocks injections are used to determine the source of pain that is considered a non-surgical treatment. It is a minimally-invasive treatment for arthritis related to low back pain. This procedure injects anesthetic medication near small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joints. Typically several levels of the spine are injected in one procedure. This procedure is primarily diagnostic therefore if a patient experiences marked pain relief immediately after the injection, then the facet joint is determined to be the source of the pain. A second diagnostic injection will be performed to confirm the source of pain. After two medial branch blocks have been confirmed as the source of pain, the patient may be a candidate for a subsequent procedure called: medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy/rhizotomy ablation for a longer term pain relief. During the procedure, a live x-ray called fluoroscopy is used to guide the needle to the correct area.

Locations We Serve for Medial Branch Blocks

We provide expert medial branch blocks and specialized care for patients in Flushing, Queens, Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, and surrounding areas across New York.