Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB)

Chronic neck pain without associated radicular symptoms such as radiation of pain, tingling, numbness, or pins & needles can be burdensome, but here at Solutions In Pain this localized chronic neck pain can be treated with excellent precision & efficacy through the introduction of anesthetic medications along the facet joints of the spine to provide short term relief of pain. Therefore our clinic offers a diagnostic procedure known as Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB): a short 10-15 minute diagnostic procedure where we can effectively target the facet joints of the spine with our injectable anesthetic medications which can thereby substantially reduce the pain of those suffering from localized chronic neck pain. Please note that this procedure is primarily diagnostic which means it is not intended to provide long term relief, but rather investigate the cause of your pain. If you develop short, but significant relief in pain following the procedure we will advise repeating this diagnostic procedure. If the repeat Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB) demonstrates significant relief in pain we will advise you to move forward with a therapeutic procedure known as Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).

Clinical Indications For This Procedure:

  • Cervical Spondylosis
  • Diffuse Cervical Arthropathy
  • Chronic Neck Pain Without Radicular Symptoms
  • Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)

What To Expect From Your Procedure
You will arrive at our clinic 15 minutes prior to your appointment with a designated driver where we will educate you at length on the benefits & risks of the procedure. After this discussion we will then have you sign a consent form and you will subsequently be positioned in preparation for the procedure.

Chloraprep will then be used to clean the procedural site & surrounding skin to help decrease chances of infection. The procedure site will then be identified under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the site is appropriately identified an injection of a numbing medication called lidocaine will be administered to numb the procedural site & surrounding skin. Once the lidocaine has settled the targeted facet joints will be injected with a cocktail consisting of anesthetic (bupivacaine & lidocaine). This cocktail disperses and bathes the facet joints providing optimal pain relief with most of our patients reporting short, but significant relief of pain at post-procedural follow up of 1-3 days. Following procedure you will then be assessed and observed for an additional 5-10 minutes following completion of the procedure to ensure your safety and then scheduled for post-procedural follow up by our staff.

What To Expect After Procedure

  • Short, but substantial reduction in localized chronic neck pain
  • Pain relief typically ranging from 1-3 days
  • Acute short term mild swelling or pain around the injection site

Risks Associated With Cervical Medial Branch Block (MBB)

  • Misplacement of the needle
  • Unexpected bleeding
  • Drug allergies
  • Infection
  • Nerve damage
  • Worsening pain
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