Medial Branch Block (MBB)

A medial branch block is a minimally invasive injection procedure used to diagnose and temporarily relieve pain coming from the facet joints of the spine. Facet joints are small joints in the spine that help with movement and stability. The medial branch nerves carry pain signals from these joints to the brain. During this procedure, a local anesthetic (sometimes with a steroid) is injected near these nerves to block pain signals and confirm the source of pain.

What Conditions Does This Treatment Help?

Medial branch blocks are commonly used to evaluate and treat:

Facet joint syndrome
Chronic neck pain
Chronic low back pain
Arthritis of the spine
Pain after injury or degeneration

How Does a Medial Branch Block Work?

Pain from facet joints is transmitted through the medial branch nerves.

The injection delivers anesthetic near these nerves
Pain signals are temporarily blocked
If pain relief occurs, it confirms the facet joint as the source

This makes medial branch blocks both:
✔ Diagnostic (identify the pain source)
✔ Therapeutic (provide temporary relief)

It also helps determine if a patient is a candidate for radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

What to Expect During the Procedure

Before the Procedure

Review of symptoms and medical history
Imaging may be used to guide diagnosis

During the Procedure

Performed under fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance)
Local anesthesia is used
A thin needle is placed near the medial branch nerve
Medication is injected
Procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes

After the Procedure

Short observation period
Patients are often asked to track pain relief over the next several hours
Same-day discharge

Benefits of Botox Injections

✔ Minimally invasive, no surgery required
✔ Helps accurately diagnose pain source
✔ Provides temporary pain relief
✔ Guides further treatment decisions
✔ Helps determine candidacy for longer-lasting procedures

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate if you:

Have chronic neck or back pain
Suspected facet joint involvement
Have not improved with medications or therapy
Need confirmation of pain source before advanced treatment

This is often a key step before radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Risks & Side Effects

Medial branch blocks are generally safe, but possible risks include:

Temporary soreness or bruising
Allergic reaction (rare)
Infection or bleeding (rare)
Temporary numbness or weakness

Serious complications are uncommon when performed under imaging guidance.

When Is This Treatment Recommended?

Medial branch blocks are typically recommended when:

Chronic neck or back pain is suspected to be from facet joints
Conservative treatments have failed
Diagnosis needs confirmation before advanced procedures
Planning for radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

👉 It is a critical diagnostic step in the pain treatment pathway

Recovery & Results

Immediate relief may occur from the anesthetic
Relief typically lasts several hours to a few days
The primary goal is diagnostic, not long-term relief

If significant relief is achieved, the next step is often radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting results.

FAQs

Is this a treatment or a test?

It is both—used to diagnose the source of pain and provide temporary relief.

How long does relief last?

Relief is usually short-term (hours to days).

What happens if the block works?

If you experience significant relief, you may be a candidate for radiofrequency ablation.

Will I need more than one block?

Sometimes repeat blocks are done to confirm results before proceeding to RFA.

Treatment Offered By Kansas Pain Management

Kansas Pain Management offers a comprehensive pain treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. The first step is a thorough evaluation, which includes a medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, if necessary.
Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

Kansas Pain Management also offers a range of minimally invasive procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function. With board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, Kansas Pain Management is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients suffering from pain. You can book an appointment with us at Overland Park, Lawrence, Leavenworth/Lansing, Roeland Park, etc. We also serve nearby locations like Ottawa, Missouri, Topeka, Belton, Manhattan, Lee’s Summit, Johnson County & Kansas areas.