Cervical Medial Branch Block Treatment in Turkey
About Cervical Medial Branch Block
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with no surgical incision.Primarily diagnostic, helping to pinpoint the exact source of neck or headache pain.Can provide significant temporary pain relief, confirming the diagnosis.Performed under local anesthesia with fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance for precision.Outpatient procedure, typically allowing patients to go home the same day.Low risk of complications compared to open spine surgery.liMay be a precursor to longer-lasting treatments like radiofrequency ablation./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Chronic neck pain that has not responded adequately to conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or rest.
- Pain suspected to originate from the cervical facet (zygapophyseal) joints.
- Diagnostic evaluation to confirm if facet joint arthritis or injury is the pain source.
- Pain that radiates to the shoulders, upper back, or base of the skull (occipital headache).
- Pain worsened by neck extension, rotation, or lateral bending.
- Preparation for a potential cervical medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (ablation).
How to prepare
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, clopidogrel) as advised by your doctor, typically 5-7 days prior.
- Inform your physician of all medications, supplements, and allergies.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as sedation may be used.
- Fast for a few hours before the procedure if sedation is planned, as per specific instructions.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and remove all jewelry.
- Discuss any active infections or illnesses with your doctor beforehand.
Risks & possible complications
- Common temporary side effects include discomfort at the injection site, bruising, or a feeling of numbness/weakness.
- Risk of infection at the injection site, though very low.
- Bleeding, especially in patients on blood thinners.
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye, local anesthetic, or steroid medication.
- Temporary increase in pain (flare reaction).
- Rare complications include nerve damage, spinal cord injury, or dural puncture leading to a spinal headache.
- No relief or inaccurate diagnostic information if the injection does not target the correct nerve.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You will be monitored in a recovery area for 30-60 minutes after the procedure.
- Rest for the remainder of the day; avoid strenuous activity, driving, and operating machinery.
- You may resume normal activities and light work the following day if you feel well.
- Keep the injection site clean and dry for 24 hours.
- You will be asked to keep a 'pain diary' to record your pain levels for several hours after the block to assess its effectiveness.
- Follow up with your spine specialist to discuss the results of the diagnostic block and plan the next steps, which may include a repeat block or radiofrequency ablation.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, fever, chills, or signs of infection.
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Typical hospital stay:
0 days (Outpatient)
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cervical medial branch block in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cervical medial branch block in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cervical medial branch block. MediFyr helps you compare spine surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cervical medial branch block compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cervical Medial Branch Block in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing cervical medial branch block.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Emily Bhatia is a 42-year-old high...
Emily Bhatia is a 42-year-old high school art teacher and mother of two young children. For the past three years, she has struggled with chronic, debilitating neck pain and stiffness that radiates into her right shoulder blade. The pain began after a minor car accident (a rear-end collision) and has persisted despite physical therapy, massage, and over-the-counter pain relievers. She finds it increasingly difficult to demonstrate painting techniques to her students, play with her kids, or even turn her head to check blind spots while driving. Her spine surgeon, after reviewing her MRI which showed facet joint arthritis at C5-C6, recommended a Cervical Medial Branch Block as both a diagnostic tool and potential therapeutic procedure. Emily was anxious but hopeful as she lay face down on the procedure table, feeling only a slight pinch from the local anesthetic and pressure during the injection. The immediate relief was subtle, but over the next 4-6 hours, the familiar, grinding ache in her neck melted away, giving her the first pain-free window she'd had in years. This confirmed the facet joints as the pain source. While the numbing medication wore off after a day, the diagnostic success provided a clear path forward to a longer-term radiofrequency ablation. Emotionally, Emily moved from a place of frustration and despair, feeling like a burden to her family, to one of immense relief and optimism. Having a confirmed diagnosis and a viable treatment plan restored her hope and made her feel like an active participant in her recovery again.