Facet joint arthritis can cause persistent neck or back pain. At Paragon Surgical Center in St. Thomas, VI, patients have access to minimally invasive procedures, including medial branch blocks, that improve their quality of life through reliable pain management.

Understanding Facet Joint Arthritis

Facet joints are small joints along the spine that provide stability and allow movement. Over time, these joints can develop arthritis, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain that may radiate into the shoulders, arms, or legs. Common causes include aging, wear and tear, previous injuries, or repetitive stress on the spine.

Patients often describe facet joint pain as a deep ache that gets worse with twisting, bending, or prolonged sitting. Left untreated, it can interfere with work, sleep, and physical activity.

What Are Medial Branch Blocks?

A medial branch block is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce pain caused by facet joint arthritis. It involves the precise injection of a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, near the medial branch nerves that supply the affected joints. By temporarily blocking the pain signals, patients can experience immediate relief and also help doctors identify the source of their discomfort.

Who Can Benefit from Medial Branch Blocks?

Medial branch blocks are often recommended for patients with chronic neck or back pain suspected to originate from facet joints. They may also be used as a diagnostic tool to determine whether more advanced procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation, could be effective.

Patients who have tried conservative treatments, like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or lifestyle modifications, but still experience pain, are often good candidates for this procedure.

What to Expect During and After the Procedure

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at St. Thomas’s Paragon Surgical Center, allowing patients to return home the same day. Using imaging guidance, the physician precisely targets the medial branch nerves. The injection usually takes only a few minutes, and many patients notice relief within hours.

After the procedure, mild soreness at the injection site is common, but serious complications are rare. Patients are advised to follow activity recommendations from their provider, and many can resume light activities immediately.

Benefits of Medial Branch Blocks

Medial branch blocks offer several advantages for managing facet joint arthritis, including:

• Immediate reduction of pain and discomfort
  
  
• Improved mobility and function
  
  
• Guidance for further treatment options, including long-term pain relief strategies
  
  
• Minimally invasive approach with low risk and short recovery time
  
  

Get Lasting Help with Pain Management

Chronic neck or back pain doesn’t have to control your life. At Paragon Surgical Center in St. Thomas, VI, our team provides expert care and personalized treatment plans to help patients recover their mobility. If you’re living with facet joint arthritis and want to explore medial branch blocks, contact our office to schedule a consultation. Call (340) 715-7874.