Cervical Medial Branch Ablation
Cervical medial branch ablation is a procedure that identifies whether pain originates from a specific cervical facet joint, which is located between the vertebrae and enables spine movements such as bending, twisting, and flexing.
If the medial branch nerves supplying these joints are damaged or irritated, they can cause significant pain. By targeting and disrupting these nerves, cervical medial branch ablation provides long-lasting pain relief.
GET IN TOUCH
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering medial branch ablation to relieve your back or neck pain, consult with the expert orthopedic surgeons at Ceda Orthopedic Group. Our team will guide you through the process and determine the best treatment option for your specific needs.
Procedure Overview
What Cervical Medial Branch Ablation Is
Cervical medial branch ablation is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that helps treat chronic neck pain. Patients can typically return home the same day with minimal recovery time, making it an effective solution for pain management.
Treatment Description
This procedure targets chronic neck pain that originates from the facet joints. It is designed to block pain signals from the affected joints, providing long-lasting relief.
What It Includes
During the procedure, radiofrequency energy is used to heat and disrupt the medial branch nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joints to the brain, helping to reduce or eliminate discomfort.
Related Procedures
YOU ASK. WE ANSWER
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick and helpful answers to common inquiries.
How Is A Cervical Medial Branch Ablation Procedure Performed?
Nerve ablation is done in the same way as diagnostic blocks are done. A fluoroscope, a type of x-ray, is used by the doctor to direct a thin hollow needle into the painful region. Fluoroscopy allows the doctor to check the needle in real-time on the fluoroscope display to make sure it’s in the correct position.
Doctors inject contrast to ensure the needle is in the right position. There is some discomfort, but most patients report feeling more pressure than pain. The patient is given a numbing injection once the needle is in place. The hollow needle is then transmitted to a radiofrequency current, which creates a minute precise burn called a lesion, approximately the size of a cotton pot. The current kills the part of the nerve that transmits pain and disturbs the signal that causes pain. It takes approximately 90 seconds per spot and burns a large number of fats simultaneously.
Radiofrequency ablation can benefit patients with adequate pain relief after injecting the diagnostic nerve or the pain receptor block. Radiofrequency ablation is performed based on x-ray fluoroscopic directives and is not recommended for persons with a disorder, embarrassment, or bleeding problems.
Benefits Of Cervical Medial Branch Ablation
Pain relief will last anywhere from nine months to two years. It’s conceivable that the nerve can regrow from the radiofrequency ablation-created burned lesion. It usually takes 6-12 months for the nerve to regrow after the operation. In people who have had successful nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation is 70-80% effective. If necessary, the surgeons can repeat the process when necessary.
What Are The Potential Dangers?
Radiofrequency nerve ablation is a reasonably healthy procedure with a low chance of side effects. Complications reported by the University of Michigan, include temporary nerve pain, neuritis, neuroma, localized numbness, infection, allergic reaction to medications used during the procedure, and lack of pain relief in less than 30% of patients. Pain relief following medical branch ablations usually lasts for 1 to 3 weeks following injection.
It is recommended by Michigan Medicine that patients stay several days before going back to regular work. Patients may participate in everyday tasks for the first few days but should be driven by pain levels. Since those suffering from back pain have been de-conditioned due to their pain for many months or years, medial branch ablation patients at Ceda Orthopedic Group are typically prescribed a physical treatment routine to improve their strength and tolerance safely after the procedure.
How Ceda Orthopedic Group Performs Cervical Medial Branch Ablation
Prior to the procedure, patients are injected with a fluid that numbs the neck. The fluids act as a pain reliever for the patient. The injection typically consists of a mixture of a local anesthetic and cortisone. The anesthetic reduces swelling while the cortisone numbs the discomfort. If the operation relieves the discomfort, the doctor knows which nerve is causing the problem and should be treated.
The cervical nerve block may be all that is needed in some cases. Its effects wear off in other situations. A patient’s reaction to radiofrequency ablation will likely be positive if a cervical block successfully numbed the pain. If it doesn’t, the patient is unlikely to benefit from radiofrequency ablation.
relevant PROCEDURES
More to Explore
Here are some of the remedies you may consider:
GET IN TOUCH
Get Cervical Medial Branch Ablation In Miami, Fl
Start by scheduling your initial meet-and-greet now to meet with a doctor who can provide guidance.
