Medial Branch Blocks and Radiofrequency Ablation (Procedure) | NEJM
The latest Video in Clinical Medicine reviews the indications for medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation for chronic low back pain from facet joints.
Medial branch blocks involve the injection of a local anesthetic agent to diagnose low back pain from facet joints. The injection can also serve as a prognostic tool before radiofrequency ablation. The L4–L5 facet joint is innervated by the L4 medial branch (located on L5) and the L3 medial branch (located on L4); the L4 medial branch is targeted by advancing a spinal needle to the junction of the L5 superior articular and transverse processes.
Watch the full video to learn more: https://nej.md/3NwvwEo
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