Question 1

i am having headaches after my bilateral l4/5, l5/s1 lumbar facet medial branch block. is this normal.

Accepted Answer

Wait and watch: Typically no reason to have headaches after mediial branch block . Potentially may happen IF the needle accidentally went too deep and caused spinal fluid leak but still the headache in that case would be constant with some change with position ( lying down versus sitting up) . Alternatively could be from steroids if used for block . Best to ask the office that did the block.

Question 2

why would lumbar facet steroid injections work but when i did the medial branch block  to see if  a rhizotomy would  help, it  did nothing?

Accepted Answer

Facet pain: The two should be similarly effective. The question I have is whether the medicine got to the right place or if perhaps the facet injection was not contained completely within the joint  and causes relief by effecting a different area or structure. I would consider repeating the injections to see if the results are reproducible. Hope this help.

Question 3

is cervical medial branch block a type of epidural block? or just giving medicines around the medial branch nerve?

Accepted Answer

Two kinds: Cervical medial branch block can be done with just pain numbing drugs or by radiofrequency ablation which lasts months. These procedures block the medical branch of the pain fibers without invading the spinal canal. This is also done in the lumbar area.

Question 4

what if a medial branch block does not work?

Accepted Answer

Facet Injections!: The good news is that if medial branch blocks are not successful, another option is to ask your doctor about injecting into the facet joint directly with local anesthetic and steroid.

Question 5

i was consented for si joint and medial branch block. on discharge note it says that i've had si joint and sacral ala injections, is this branch block?

Accepted Answer

NO!: a sacral block is a block of the sacral nerve roots . A medial branch block is a block of the nerves that serve the facet joints,  Two very different procedures and two very different anatomic locations.  Perhaps the doctor/operator changed his mind when seeing what was present on your imaging.

Question 6

i have a parasitic infection (unspecified at the moment). is it safe to have a medial branch block?

Accepted Answer

Probably safe!: Facet Joint injections are useful for controlling referred pain from your spine. 
Most parasitic infections do not affect your spine!
Trichinella affects your muscle
Neurocysticercosis the brain!
Toxolasmosis can affect muscle and brain!

Depends on the parasite and its body location!
Most parasites are in the GI tract !

Question 7

can you tell me about being diagnosed with facet joint pain and had a medial branch block?

Accepted Answer

Controversial: If pain is produced by bending backwards, suggestive of dx. Controversial is routine diagnosis and treatment.

Question 8

cervical medial branch block with dexa lidocaine gave me 1 day of neck pain relief.after 1day neck pain again.ok to proceed to radiofreq ablation?

Accepted Answer

Not yet: The Lidocaine would be expected to wear off in less than a day.  The Dexamethasone  takes 1-2 weeks to show maximum improvement.

Question 9

i have  been  having  lower  back  pain  for  4  months  now  along  with  hip and  knee  pain   had  2  medial  branch  nerve  blocks  neither  help?

Accepted Answer

Need diagnosis : Sorry to hear of your problems. The best way to get improvement is an accurate diagnosis. If you’re not getting that now please get a second opinion

Question 10

any side effects to lower lumbar nerve blocks?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Quite uncommon like infection, nerve damage, spinal headaches and failure to achieve goals.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Bilateral lumbar medial branch block

A member asked:

I am having headaches after my bilateral l4/5, l5/s1 lumbar facet medial branch block. is this normal.

A member asked:

Why would lumbar facet steroid injections work but when i did the medial branch block to see if a rhizotomy would help, it did nothing?

A member asked:

Is cervical medial branch block a type of epidural block? or just giving medicines around the medial branch nerve?

A member asked:

What if a medial branch block does not work?

A member asked:

I was consented for si joint and medial branch block. on discharge note it says that i've had si joint and sacral ala injections, is this branch block?

A member asked:

I have a parasitic infection (unspecified at the moment). is it safe to have a medial branch block?

A member asked:

Can you tell me about being diagnosed with facet joint pain and had a medial branch block?

A member asked:

Cervical medial branch block with dexa lidocaine gave me 1 day of neck pain relief.after 1day neck pain again.ok to proceed to radiofreq ablation?

A member asked:

I have been having lower back pain for 4 months now along with hip and knee pain had 2 medial branch nerve blocks neither help?

A member asked:

Any side effects to lower lumbar nerve blocks?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?