I'm having a medial branch block, does it hurt? If so how?

Hello, @karolyn, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Thank you for posting.

I would like to introduce you to @hosta, who has had this procedure done before and will hopefully offer some insight with you. Can you share how and why this decision was made with your provider? What kind of pain are you in?

@jamienolson I have had many procedures on my lumbar spine. They were all done under local anesthesia with very little pain -- about the same as have a tooth numbed at the dentist. I certainly hope this works for your pain; it did not work for me. First they will numb the area they will be using to place the injection. Once that area is deadened they will proceed with an x-ray guided needle to place the block into the area they have identified as causing your pain. The last one I had changed my perceptions, I felt like I was in a barrel with sounds echoing around me and the air around me pressing on me. There may have been some epinephrine in the numbing shot, which I have learned I am highly susceptible to. That feeling passed quickly and I was able to walk afterward. Good luck.

@hosta Yes, I had a series 3 medial branch blocks in the neck area, and 5 -7 in the lumbar area. Each time I thought the first one was working, so they did the second one. But they really didn't work for me. I personally know one may that they made a big difference for him. I was given a IV and when I got in the procedure room, the anesthesia was injected in the IV. It was just enough to put me in NA NA land. The Doctor does use a x-ray to guide the needle where he has decided where the problem is coming from. Out of all that I had, I only had trouble with the last one and I am sorry to say that one really did hurt. So it does work on some people and most of the time there is no problem. It is just like any other procedure. Good Luck. God Bless!

There not giving me iv ,ur second one were u sedated ,ty so much for ur help I'm afraid if I turn it away the paim man Dr will take away my pain meds witch do help alot

There not putting me to sleep all I kn is there injection me with the numing meds I'm so scared I don't want it done my pain meds manage my pain but I'm scared pain management will take away if I refuse,I'm not sure what to do a nerve block didnt help couple years ago I have problems in neck and back herniated disk and also nerve damage I think this is going cause more harm than good r plan was physical therapy then she found out ssi court date and changed to medial branch block, thank u so much for ur help

I have my cell 3-4 5-6 in neck herniated, arthritis also,and in my back 2 herniated disk on left side with siatica,the pain management Dr at first was going to do physical therapy and acupuncture since I'm weak and so swollen w inflammation but when I mentioned ssi court date it all change ,she said the next visit I'm sending u for a medial branch block instead had no clue what it was so I resurch it,I don't want to do it but I'm afraid if I don't my meds will be taken.im a single mom was a son I'm so worried about this I can't sleep

@karolyn Only suggestion I can give you is to ask your pain Dr .about continuing on pain meds after the block .

Have u had on

@No I haven't but have had nerve blocks in lower back Just saying talk to your pain Dr about meds good luck

Thank u for helping it's a new Dr I already have a sever infection they can't find the root to so I'm scared this will make it worse