CERVICAL MEDIAL BRANCH BLOCK

What is a cervical medial branch block?

A cervical medial branch block (CMBB) also known as a cervical facet joint block is an injection of a numbing agent to the medial branch nerves that serve the facet joints. This injection will stop pain signals from the medial branch nerves for a few hours and this allows your provider to diagnose and/or confirm cervical spondylosis.

 

What conditions can a CMBB treat?

CMBB may be an effective treatment for any condition that arises from facet joint inflammation or irritation. These conditions include osteoarthritis of the spine, facet arthropathy, spinal injuries, neuropathic spine conditions. 

 

How does a CMBB work?

The medication stops medial branch nerves from sending pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. The treatment may reduce pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back. CMBB may also resolve other symptoms which stem from facet arthropathy including complex regional pain syndrome and occipital neuropathy temporarily. 

 

How is the CMBB performed?

The patient lays face down and the cervical spine is visualized using fluoroscopy (continuous x-ray). While using sterile techniques numbing medicine is injected in the skin and tissue near the vertebrae. A needle is then placed using bony landmarks close to the medial branch nerves and an anesthetic is injected along the nerve.

 

What to expect after CMBB?

You will not take any pain medication prior to the procedure. The medication will quickly take effect and you may receive a significant reduction in your pain. Following the procedure and without the use of pain medication, you will be asked to stay active and assess your pain reduction. We hope to have an 80% reduction in your pain for at least 3 hours following the injection. This procedure serves as a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of cervical spondylosis. If you have two positive CMBBs you can then have a Cervical Radio Frequency Ablation which allows for 6 to 12 months of pain reduction.