Nerve Blocks & Facet Joint Injections

When chronic back pain persists despite conservative treatments, diagnostic nerve blocks and facet joint injections can help identify—and potentially treat—the precise source of your discomfort. These minimally invasive procedures provide valuable information while often delivering therapeutic relief.

Key Differences:

• Facet Joint Injections

  • Deliver anesthetic/steroid directly into inflamed joints

  • Provide both diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic relief (weeks-months)

  • Ideal for arthritis-related joint pain

• Medial Branch Nerve Blocks

  • Temporarily numb nerves supplying facet joints

  • Primarily diagnostic (helps determine if RFA would be effective)

  • Relief typically lasts hours to days

Why Consider These Procedures?
✔ Pinpoint exact pain generators
✔ Delay or avoid need for surgery
✔ Guide long-term treatment plans
✔ Provide therapeutic relief in many cases

Most patients experience minimal downtime, with the entire process taking about 30 minutes. Our pain specialists will help determine which approach best suits your specific condition during a comprehensive evaluation.