What are facet (Zygapophysial) joints?
The facets are small paired synovial joints which reside at the back of the vertebral bodies in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. These joints prevent the vertebrae from sliding backward and forward upon one another and they can occasionally be a source of back or neck pain. What is a medial branch block or facet arthrogram? Because the facet joints are very small, pain deriving from them cannot be accurately diagnosed by imaging studies or a physical examination. In order to determine if a particular facet joint is painful a series of two fluoroscopically guided diagnostic injections must be performed. This typically involves introducing several small needles next to the nerves innervating the facet joint and anesthetizing them on two separate occasions. The medication may also be placed directly into the facet joints. In rare instances the facet joints may develop cysts and your referring doctor may ask us to drain them. What will happen to me during the procedure? An IV will
