Cervical Medial Branch Nerves

Located in the neck's facet joints, the cervical medial branch nerves are tiny nerves that transmit pain signals.

Cervical Medial Branch Nerve

Indications

  •  Neck pain
  • Referred shoulder pain 
  • Headache

Complications

  • Medial branch blocks complications should be rare as it is the safest spinal interventional procedure if performed according to medial branch blocks
  • Only wrong placement of the needle leads to complications

Course Calendar & Discounts

Sign up for Live and Online Training Events, Coupons, Free Educational Content and more!

Thank You

References

and Interesting Articles

  • Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, DSc, Paul Dreyfuss, MD, Ray Baker, MD, Way Yin, MD, Milton Landers, DO, PhD, Michael Hammer, MD, Charles Aprill, MD, Complications of Spinal Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures, Pain Medicine, Volume 9, Issue suppl_1, May 2008, Pages S11–S34, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2008.00437.x
  • Wasan, A.D., Jamison, R.N., Pham, L. et al. Psychopathology predicts the outcome of medial branch blocks with corticosteroid for chronic axial low back or cervical pain: a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 10, 22 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-10-22
  • Boswell MV, Colson JD, Spillane WF: Therapeutic facet joint interventions in chronic spinal pain: A systematic review of effectiveness and complications. Pain Physician. 2005, 8: 101-114.
  • King JS, Lagger R: Sciatica viewed as a referred pain syndrome. Surg Neurol. 1976, 5: 46-50.


Disclaimer

This Podcast, website and any content from NRAP Academy (PMRexam.com) otherwise known as Qbazaar.com, LLC is  for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. Professionals should conduct their own fact finding, research, and due diligence to come to their own conclusions for treating patients. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.


Check out our other CME Board Reviews!