- 3 Blackberry Court, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes, MK7 7PB
|
These injections can be given to various areas of the spine for pain arising from the small joints in the spine known as facet joints. You can have lumbar (low back) or cervical (neck) medial branch block injections. The doctor injects a small amount of local anaesthetic around a tiny nerve which supplies the pain sensation to the facet joint. This helps to diagnose where your pain is coming from and aids in diagnosis.
These injections can be given to various areas of the spine for pain arising from the small joints in the spine known as facet joints. You can have lumbar (low back) or cervical (neck) medial branch block injections. The doctor injects a small amount of local anaesthetic around a tiny nerve which supplies the pain sensation to the facet joint. This helps to diagnose where your pain is coming from and aids in diagnosis.
Once the anaesthetic has been injected you will be asked to monitor your pain levels on a graph over the next few hours. This gives the doctor the information he needs to make an accurate diagnosis.
On your next visit the doctor will discuss the graph and your pain levels after the block. Once it is clear that the painful joint has been accurately located, the doctor may suggest a steroid injection around that joint to decrease inflammation and pain. Radiofrequency denervation is also an option. Prolotherapy (using hypertonic dextrose sugar injections) is another option depending on the outcome of the block. These procedures are described elsewhere in this website.
Treatment for acute and chronic sports injuries, arthritis, soft tissue injuries and exercise medicine consultations
You will have a thorough assessment to see if this treatment is appropriate and the treatment will be explained to you. You may be taken to our fluoroscopy theatre so the doctor can use the x ray or ultrasound equipment for guidance in placing the needle. The doctor will explain what is happening throughout the procedure and you will be closely monitored. You will have to lie down for a short while after the procedure and you should not drive for the rest of the day.
Local anaesthetic is used so it is not an excessively painful procedure. The doctor can administer extra pain relief if you do feel pain and will ask you throughout the procedure if you are ok and coping with the treatment.
Once it is clear that the painful joint has been accurately located by the diagnostic medial branch block injection you need to come back to see the doctor to discuss the best form of treatment. There are lots of treatment options such as physio, osteopathy and chiropractic but if you have tried these and are no better the doctor may suggest a steroid injection into the facet joint, radiofrequency denervation or prolotherapy injections.
The doctor may suggest you try physio, osteopathy or chiropractic if you have not tried these. There are other forms of pain relief such as TENS machines and acupuncture. You could have a steroid injection if appropriate and for severe pain the doctor may suggest radio frequency denervation or prolotherapy.
To find out more and find your local Bupa Clinic for a Bupa Health Assessment click here
