Medical Branch Blocks
About Medial Branch Blocks
Facet joints are small joints on either side of each vertebra in the spinal column that allow us to bend forward and backward. A medial branch nerve block temporarily interrupts the pain signal to a specific facet joint. In most cases, a set of two medial branch nerve blocks will be scheduled. The diagnostic blocks help to find out whether the facet joints are the cause of the back pain. The procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

How is the procedure performed and what should I expect?
The procedure is done using fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance). A local anesthetic is injected into the skin and deeper tissues prior to placement of the needles for the block. The procedure is done for diagnostic purposes, which means to determine the source of your pain. If the source of your pain is from these joints, you should have pain relief for a period of 2-6 hours depending on what medication was used. If pain relief is substantial after the block, this will help in determining the next step of treatment. Contact Zion Medical today.

Locations
Port Orange Clinic
- Phone: (386) 317-5149
- Fax: (386) 492-7348
- 870 Dunlawton Ave., Suite 109, Port Orange
- Hours: Mon – Thu | 8:30 am – 5 pm
- Hours: Friday | 8:00 am – 4 pm

Palm Coast Clinic
- Phone: (888) 997-3952
- Fax: (386) 492-7348
- 9 Pine Cone Drive, Suite 104A, Palm Coast
- Hours: Mon – Thu | 8:30 am – 5 pm
- Hours: Friday | 8:00 am – 4 pm

Frequently Asked QUestions
Patient Testimonials
Went to Zion Medical for a knee injury, which turned out to be a torn ACL. The amazing doctors and staff were able to successfully surgically repair my ACL, and I was back on the pickleball courts faster than initially assumed! I would never recommend another orthopedist before Dr. McGraw!