Thoracic Medial Branch Block and RFA

Thoracic medial branch blocks are a specialized procedure used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints in the thoracic spine. These facet joints can become a source of pain due to arthritis, injury, or degenerative conditions. During a thoracic medial branch block, a local anesthetic is injected near the medial branches of the nerves that supply the facet joints. If the injection provides significant pain relief, it confirms that the facet joints are the source of pain. This diagnostic information can guide further treatment decisions, such as radiofrequency ablation to disrupt the nerve signals causing the pain.

Thoracic medial branch blocks are minimally invasive and performed with the guidance of fluoroscopy to ensure precision. Patients may experience temporary numbness or weakness in the area following the procedure, but this typically resolves quickly.