Image-guided injection that targets the nerves supplying the facet joints to relieve chronic back pain. A diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that helps identify the pain source.
The facet joints connect adjacent vertebrae and can become arthritic or inflamed, generating significant back pain. A medial branch block targets the small medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints — delivering corticosteroid and local anaesthetic under X-ray or CT guidance. It serves both as a diagnostic test (confirming the pain source) and a treatment (reducing pain and inflammation).
The procedure takes approximately 20–30 minutes and is performed as a day case. You'll be positioned prone and the skin over the target site is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. Mr. Rath uses fluoroscopic guidance to confirm needle placement before injecting the medication.
You can go home within hours of the procedure. Some patients feel immediate relief from the local anaesthetic; the steroid effect builds over 2–5 days.
We use image guidance for every injection — not a "landmark" technique. This ensures the medication goes exactly where it needs to go, maximising both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic benefit. Mr. Rath interprets the injection response in the context of your full clinical picture.
The local anaesthetic effect lasts hours. The steroid effect typically lasts 2–6 months, though this varies. Some patients require a repeat block; others gain sustained relief or progress to radiofrequency ablation if the pain returns.
Yes. If the injection provides significant relief, it confirms the facet joint as a pain generator. This information is used to plan further treatment, including radiofrequency ablation if symptoms recur.
Online and in-clinic consultations available across the North West.
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