Welcome to our health library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.
Back or neck pain may be due to problems with certain nerves near your spine. If so, a medial branch neurotomy can help relieve your pain. The treatment uses heat, cold, or chemicals to destroy the nerves near a problem joint. This keeps some pain messages from traveling to the brain, and helps relieve your symptoms.
Each vertebra in your spine has facets (flat surfaces). They touch where the vertebrae fit together. This forms a facet joint. Each facet joint has at least two medial branch nerves. They are part of the nerve pathway to and from each facet joint. A facet joint in your back or neck can become inflamed (swollen and irritated). Pain messages may then travel along the nerve pathway from the facet joint to your brain.
Medial branch nerves in each facet joint send and carry messages about back or neck pain. Destroying a few of these nerves can keep certain pain messages from reaching the brain. This can help bring you relief.
Risks and complications are rare, but can include:
Infection
Increased pain, numbness, or weakness
Nerve damage
Bleeding
Failure to relieve pain
Date Last Reviewed: 2004-10-21T00:00:00-06:00
Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00
For more information, call Dr. Walker at 972.392.3330 or use our Online Appointment Request Form today!
