What is MBB in the spine?

What is MBB in the spine?

This diagnostic procedure is performed to identify a painful facet joint. The facet joints are the joints between the vertebrae in the spine. They allow the spine to bend, flex and twist.

What is an MBB in medical terms?

Medial Branch Block (MBB) as a diagnostic tool A diagnostic injection called a medial branch nerve block, or MBB, confirms the source of pain at the facet joint. The medial branch nerve sends a pain signal from the facet joint (the connection point between two vertebrae in the spine).

What is MBB and RFA?

The Medial Branch Block (MBB) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) are 2 separate procedures used to diagnose and treat your pain. We begin with the MBB, which is used as a diagnostic tool to establish if the source of your pain are the facet joints and the medial branch nerves.

What is a spinal branch block?

A medial branch block is a treatment for pain that has developed due to a damaged or inflamed facet joint in the spine. A facet joint is a bony structure that connects spinal vertebrae together. Facet joints help control the movement of the spine and provide extra support and stability for the vertebrae.

What is a MBB procedure?

A medial branch nerve block is a procedure in which an anesthetic is injected near small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint. Typically several levels of the spine are injected in one procedure.

How long does a branch block last?

Patients who undergo medial branch block procedures generally experience dramatic pain relief that may last for up to two years. The block procedure is also used as a diagnostic tool to confirm the location of affected facet joints.

What are MBB injections?

A medial branch block is an injection of a strong local anesthetic on the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. The facet joints, also known as the zygapophysial joints, are part of the bony framework of the spine.

What is lumbar MBB and RFA?

What is a MBB injection?