Treating Back Injuries With Medial Nerve Blocks

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Could a medial nerve block lessen my back pain?

Back pain is a common but potentially debilitating injury.  Millions of Americans report suffering from serious back pain annually, with lower back pain comprising a leading cause of disability across the nation.  There are many potential causes of back injuries, including automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, and workplace falls.  Back injuries can be acute, or short lasting, or become chronic, leading to long term pain.  One method of treating back pain is through nerve blocks.  

Medial Nerve Blocks Explained

A medial nerve block is a medical procedure during which an anesthetic is injected near the medial nerves that connect to a facet joint.  Typically, the surgeon will inject several levels of the spine to provide more relief.  If the patient experiences pain relief following the injection, then the physician can conclude that the facet joint injected was the source of the patient’s pain.

Effectiveness of Medial Nerve Blocks

Whether a patient responds to the initial medial nerve block will depend on his or her unique injuries.  For many, the initial nerve block will provide immediate, short-term relief.  This relief may only last, however, for a few hours or days.  Fortunately, patients with demonstrated relief from the procedure may be candidates for a subsequent, related procedure known as a medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy or ablation.  

During an ablation, another injection is administered, this time to create a heat lesion on the injured nerve that is transmitting the pain signal.  The goal of a radiofrequency neurotomy is to block the pain signal to the brain, while preserving other vital functions.  For qualifying patients, this procedure will provide long-term relief from chronic back pain.

Compensation for Your Back Injury

Back injuries can be costly.  Between doctor’s visits, surgical costs, and time off work, your back injury could set you and your family back greatly on the financial front.  If your back injury was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, and more.  Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at J&Y Law Firm for more information.  

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.