What is a cervical medial branch block (CMBB)?
Cervical Medial Branch Block
Cervical medial branch blocks are diagnostic injections used to determine the source of chronic neck, upper back, shoulder, and headache pain. In a cervical medial branch block, a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) is injected near the medial branch nerve. This stops the transmission of pain signals from the facet joint. If this reduces your pain and helps you move your neck like normal, it may tell the doctor which facet joint is causing the pain. These are “test” injections. They will only last for a short period of time.
The extent and duration of pain relief may depend on the amount of inflammation and how many areas are involved. Other coexisting factors may be responsible for your pain. If your pain goes away for a short time, but then returns, you may be a candidate for a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to the medial branch nerve. This procedure proves a more sustained disruption of pain signals, and often prolonged pain relief. This procedure proves a more sustained disruption of pain signals, and often prolonged pain relief. RFA pain relief may last 6-18 months.
