Ultrasound Guided Therapeutic Medial Branch Block for the Facet Joint Pain

ABSTRACT

The facet joints are a common source of chronic spinal pain. Blocks of the nerves supplying the facet joints are validated tools in the diagnosis and treatment for facet joint pain. These interventions are typically performed with fluoroscopic guidance. However, the target, which is the nerve, is radiolucent and cannot be identified with fluoroscopy. Recently, several ultrasound guided techniques in the domain of spinal pain have been emerging because ultrasound is useful in visualization of the inner structures, is portable, and is not associated with the radiation exposure. This paper reviews a variety of techniques for ultrasound guided interventions for the medial branch block which has been reported in treating axial pain originating from the facet joint.