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Medial Branch Blocks in Scottsdale
Back or neck pain every day can be tiring and make simple things like sleeping or driving harder. At Comprehensive Pain Management in Scottsdale, we offer medial branch blocks to help with this pain. Let’s see how they can help you.
What are Medial Branch Blocks?
Medial branch blocks in Scottsdale involve small injections of medication near tiny nerves in your spine, called “medial branch nerves.” These nerves send pain signals from the joints in your back or neck to your brain.
By blocking these nerves with numbing medicine and seeing if your pain improves, we can identify if the joints are the source of the pain. This test helps pinpoint the problem and also offers some short-term pain relief.
Conditions Treated With Medial Branch Blocks in Scottsdale
- Facet joint arthritis
- Chronic low back pain
- Neck pain
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis
- Rheumatoid spine arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Scoliosis-related spine pain
How Medial Branch Block Works
The procedure for a medial branch block in Scottsdale is straightforward. You will lie on a table while we clean your back or neck area. Using a live X-ray, we carefully guide a small needle to the right spot. First, we numb the skin to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Then, we inject a small amount of numbing medicine around the medial branch nerves.
The key part is what happens next. If your pain goes away, even temporarily, it indicates that your spinal joints are causing the pain. This helps us plan your next steps, such as longer-lasting treatments that may be more effective.
Recovery After Medial Branch Blocks in Scottsdale
- Don’t eat for 4–6 hours before the procedure.
- You can take your usual medications with a sip of water.
- Bring someone along to drive you home after the procedure.
Benefits of a Medial Branch Block
- Helps us identify the true source of pain
- Provides fast pain relief
- No surgery needed
- You can go home the same day
- May lead to more effective treatments like radiofrequency ablation
Expert Medial Branch Blocks in Scottsdale
Pain can make life feel limited. It stops you from doing the things you enjoy. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Our team specializes in using medial branch blocks in Scottsdale to provide answers and real options. We take the time to understand your condition and use advanced tools to ensure we get it right. If your pain is coming from your facet joints, this is one of the best ways to find out.
Book your medial branch block appointment with our specialists in Scottsdale today and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
FAQs About Medial Branch Blocks in Scottsdale
They help find the source of back or neck pain and provide temporary relief.
Yes, it helps identify pain causes and can provide quick relief.
Success rates vary but can be around 70-80% for pain relief.
It can last from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the person.
People with infections, allergies to the medication, or certain health conditions should avoid it.
The procedure is generally not painful, as the skin is numbed before injection.
Yes, sedation can be used to make you more comfortable during the procedure.
It may be if you have back or neck pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
You may experience relief or temporary pain reduction for a short time.
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to feel the full effect.
Dr. James KellerShabrokh
Dr. James KellerShabrokh is a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, focusing on spine, joint, muscle, and nerve injuries. He combines rehabilitative care, minimally invasive procedures, and preventive strategies to restore function, improve mobility, and provide long-term pain relief.