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Medial Branch Block

This is a purely diagnostic test to identify which patients will receive benefits from a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure. An anesthetic is injected into the medial branch nerves supplying a targeted facet joint. Typically, several levels of the spine are injected in one procedure, and then pain is assessed over the next 24 hours. We will evaluate your pain response to determine if you are a candidate for RFA.

Patients receiving pain management treatments who need language interpretation or prefer to communicate in a language other than English are encouraged to bring a family member or friend to their appointment to assist with translation. This ensures that patients fully understand the procedure and necessary instructions. If the patient is unable to comprehend the instructions, the appointment may need to be rescheduled. As Mayfair does not provide language interpreters, it is essential for patients to make these arrangements in advance.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY PROCEDURE?

  • Take all prescribed medications as directed.
  • You will be instructed by a booking coordinator to stop pain medication 24 hours prior to appointment time. PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT stop pain medication prescribed by your doctor without a consultation first.
  • If you are currently taking antibiotics, you will need to wait two weeks after your last dose before having your injection.
  • If you have diabetes, please eat one hour before your appointment.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
  • Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
  • Wear comfortable clothes.
  • Please do not bring children who require supervision.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY PROCEDURE?

  • A team member will review the consent form, explain procedure details, and answer any questions.
  • We will then escort you to our treatment suite where you will meet the radiologist who will clean the skin and inject a local anesthetic, similar to the freezing you get at the dentist.
  • Under X-ray guidance the radiologist will guide small needles adjacent to the medial branch nerves and inject a small amount of anesthetic.
  • This is strictly a diagnostic test so there is no long-term therapeutic relief. It is used as a pre-curser to RFA.
  • You will be assessed post-injection by our team and, if there are no concerns, you will be free to leave.

POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

  • First 24 hours:
    • Keep the treatment area clean. Leave the Band-Aid on. Do not shower.
    • Please keep track of your pain score every hour post injection for eight hours, and then the last entry 24 hours post injection. You will be given a log sheet to record your pain scores.
    • Only record pain scores for times provided on the sheet. Please use the pain score guide provided on the back of your log sheet. Only record whole numbers (i.e., no 2.5 or 2-3).
    • Please perform the activities that recreate your pain for the 24 hours after your injection.
    • Try not to take any pain medication for 24 hours after your injection. Only take pain medication if the pain is unbearable. Please document the time and name of the medication in the notes section of your pain log sheet.
  • Resume taking your usual pain medications after 24 hours.
  • Once you have completed your pain log, please send us your results immediately. You may phone, fax, or email your results to the pain therapy department (listed on the bottom of your log sheet).
  • If you have pain or other symptoms beyond 48 hours after your injection, this is a normal reaction. If you have any questions, please email us at paintherapy@radiology.ca during business hours.
  • Watch for infection: If you develop worsening pain, skin redness at the site of injection, or a temperature greater than 38.5°C, please proceed to an urgent care or emergency centre.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

  • Please note this is a two-part exam. Once we interpret your results from the first test injection, you may be a candidate for the second test.
  • If you are considered an appropriate candidate after having both test injections, we will place you on our waitlist.
  • If you do not qualify for the RFA procedure, we will inform your referring physician. Please follow up with your referring doctor for further assessment and consultation.
  • Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.

PLEASE NOTE:

Please bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).

FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.

DURATION

15-20 minutes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Online Appointment Request

Our Culture

We foster a supportive and collaborative culture designed to encourage positive patient experiences and build strong working relationships across the organization:

  • We recognize each other for our contributions – big and small.
  • We focus on teamwork and personal accountability to achieve our goals.
  • When we commit to deadlines, we complete the work as promised, by when we promised. If we realize we can’t keep our commitments, we collaborate to find new deadlines well in advance of the original ones.
  • We feel safe to speak up responsibly. That means we freely share what’s on our minds in a way that is respectful and supports the success of the organization.
  • We commit to our patients and their needs. We show up each day ready to live our vision, mission, and values.
  • We challenge each other to grow and develop our skills and we support each other to do so.
  • Above all, we go the extra mile to support our patients and colleagues. 

Our Values.

Our core values shape the way we work with patients, partners, and fellow employees. And, more than anything else, they’re what set Mayfair apart. In everything we do, this is what we strive for:

EXCELLENCE

We share a commitment to high quality and excellence in all that we do. This commitment calls on all of us to achieve the very best of our capabilities and exceed our own expectations.

CURIOSITY

We innovate in everything, from services to processes. We believe meaningful change and effective problem solving come only by looking at challenges and opportunities from new angles and by exercising our creativity and curiosity.

PASSION

We show pride, enthusiasm, and dedication in everything that we do. We are committed to producing and delivering high-quality results and services. We are passionate about our industry and about our company, services, partners, and patients.

COLLABORATION

Our team is supportive of each other’s efforts; we are loyal to one another; and we care for one another both personally and professionally. We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals across Mayfair clinics, locations, and geographies. Only through collaboration on ideas, technologies, and talents can we achieve our mission and vision.

SERVICE

We take pride in delivering exceptional service every day. We listen to every request with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to go above and beyond to create memorable, personalized experiences. We take responsibility to answer our referrers’ and patients’ requests and respect their time by always responding with a sense of urgency.

Start with us.

Start a career with Mayfair Diagnostics — one of Western Canada’s leading medical imaging teams.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, we’ve been helping people f ind clarity for their health for over 100 years. At our clinics in Calgary and area, Regina, and Saskatoon, our team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff work in a truly integrated way to provide exceptional experiences for our patients. Joining our team is more than a job. It’s an investment in your future — a plan for success.

OUR PEOPLE

Our people share our quest to make a difference in our patient’s lives. We’re a team of professionals, disciplined in our skills and compassionate with our patients, providing the care and attention they need. At our core, we are a trusted partner in our patients’ health care journey. Our patients, physicians, and other health care providers rely on us for quality imaging to help manage their patient’s health care decisions with certainty. But our business is about more than just imaging. It’s about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we meet.

OUR VISION

A world in which every person has clarity about their health. We push the boundaries of what is possible and embrace change as an opportunity. We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking. We learn from our mistakes. We share best practices across our operations and are recognized by our peers for our work. We engage the best to help propel us forward in achieving our goals.