Please pay close attention to the following information/instructions:
- You have undergone a medial branch block procedure. This procedure is a diagnostic injection to test whether or not the facet joints along the spine are a source of your pain.
- For the next 4-6 hours, your facet joints that were injected should be numb. During this time, please perform a few activities that normally cause your typical pain symptoms.
- Please complete the 24-hour pain diary that you were given so that we can determine whether or not you had relief of your typical pain during the 4-6 hours following the procedure.
- Your medial branch block may need to be repeated twice to confirm results. We will discuss this option with you in detail based on your specific situation.
- In general, if your typical pain is reduced by >50%, then you are a candidate for a radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that heats the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. By heating the individual nerves to each joint, you have the potential to experience long-term (6 months-2 years) pain relief in these joints.
- Please remember that your medial branch block is only a test, and your regular pain usually returns within 24 hours.
- Although complications from this procedure are extremely rare, if you are having excessive pain, redness at the needle sites, or any other signs of infections, please contact our office.
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