Nerve Block for Osteoarthritis in Ventura

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the spine and usually happens in the facet joints of the lower back. Osteoarthritis of the spine can be caused by joint deterioration from an injury or normal aging. When inflammation happens in the facet joints, the result is stiffness and pain. The good news is non-surgical procedures can help.

A nerve block injection is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks pain in the back just like a dentist blocks pain in the mouth. During the nerve block procedure, numbing medication and an anti-inflammatory are injected. The doctor uses X-ray guidance to guide the injection into the right area.

Another treatment for osteoarthritis of the spine is radiofrequency ablation, which temporarily destroys the nerves that are causing pain and inflammation. Radiofrequency ablation uses radio frequency waves to burn up specific nerves and stop them from sending pain signals to the brain.

Before a doctor performs a radiofrequency ablation, he/she has to do medial branch blocks as a diagnostic test. These injections are performed using X-ray guidance. Insurance companies usually require these blocks before they will pay for a radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation treatments can provide long term pain relief. The nerve endings will eventually grow back, usually within in a year, but the time varies among patients.

Another kind of treatment for osteoarthritis of the spine is a facet joint injection. These injections are a combination of anti-inflammatory and numbing medicines. Using X-ray guidance, the doctor places a spinal needle inside the facet joint and injects the medication.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, please call our office at 805-351-0745 to schedule an exam with the doctor who will be able to tell you which procedure would be best to treat your pain. Don’t suffer any longer, call us today!