September 14, 2026
Persistent neck or back pain that worsens when leaning backward or twisting often stems from the facet joints—the paired structural joints that connect adjacent vertebrae along the back of the spine. Like any joint in the body, facet joints can develop arthritis, inflammation, or wear over time, generating chronic localized pain.
When facet joint pain impairs daily life, interventional spine specialists utilize a two-step approach: a precise diagnostic test called a Medial Branch Block (MBB), followed by long-term relief with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).
The medial branch nerves are tiny sensory nerve fibers that transmit pain signals directly from the facet joints to the brain. They do not control muscle strength or limb sensation; their primary role in these joints is carrying pain signals.
A Medial Branch Block is a diagnostic procedure performed to confirm whether specific facet joints are the exact source of a patient’s back or neck pain.
A Medial Branch Block is not intended to provide permanent pain relief; the local anesthetic wears off after a few hours. Instead, it serves as a critical diagnostic “test drive.”
If the patient experiences immediate, substantial pain relief (typically 70% to 80% or greater) while the anesthetic is active, the test confirms that those specific facet joints and medial branch nerves are driving the pain.
With the diagnosis confirmed, the patient becomes a candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). During RFA, thermal energy is used to interrupt the medial branch nerves, providing long-lasting pain relief that typically lasts from six months to over a year.