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Medial Branch Block
This is a type of spinal injection to temporarily block the pain signals coming from the medial nerves. Medial nerves run through the facet joints. Facet joints are joints in your spine that allow for movement between vertebrae. Medial branch blocks are different from facet blocks in that the injection is placed outside the joint near the medial nerve. Because sciatica can be caused by facet joint degeneration, which is a breaking down of the cartilage around the joint, a medial branch block may also be used to identify sciatic pain. If you are experiencing back pain, a medial branch block may be one of several tests your doctor recommends to locate the source of your pain. A steroid such as cortisone may be used in this injection to reduce inflammation. A medial branch block can provide temporary pain relief, but is mostly a diagnostic tool to determine the source of your back pain and the next steps in your treatment plan.