Discover how a diagnosis for Facet denervation is reached at Liv Hospital. Learn about diagnostic nerve blocks, MRI, and specialized clinical evaluations.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosis and Imaging
The journey toward a successful Facet denervation begins with a meticulously structured diagnostic phase. Because back pain can be referred from various structures, a physical exam alone is rarely sufficient to confirm that the facet joints are the culprit. When you visit a specialist at Liv Hospital, the process starts with a detailed medical history focusing on the “personality” of your pain: where it starts, where it travels, and what movements make it worse. The goal of this evaluation is to provide objective evidence of joint irritation and to determine if a neurological intervention is the most appropriate next step for your health.
The first line of diagnosis involves a hands-on assessment of your spinal flexibility and tenderness.
These clinical signs provide the doctor with an initial “map” of the joint’s functional failure. If the pain is recreatable during specific extension maneuvers, it is a strong indicator that the medial branch nerves are involved, justifying further investigation for radiofrequency neurotomy.
The “gold standard” for diagnosing the need for Facet denervation is the diagnostic nerve block. This is a functional test that provides immediate answers.
At Liv Hospital, we prioritize this step because it acts as a “dress rehearsal” for the actual procedure. If the block works, we know that a permanent Radiofrequency Facet Denervation will be highly successful.
While X-rays cannot see the nerves, they are a foundational part of the diagnostic overview.
At Liv Hospital, we use digital X-ray technology to ensure the highest resolution images with minimal radiation exposure. These images allow us to categorize the severity of the arthritis and help in the initial planning of the rhizolysis.
An MRI is used to see the “hidden” soft tissues and rule out other causes of pain, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
An MRI provides the clinical team with a visual blueprint, ensuring that the Facet denervation targets the exact level of the spine that matches your physical symptoms.
In some clinical cases, especially those involving old fractures or complex bone anatomy, a CT scan may be recommended.
This high-tech imaging is a hallmark of the precision care at Liv Hospital, ensuring that no anatomical detail is missed during the diagnostic phase.
Because we view the spine in the context of the whole body, blood work is often part of our evaluation.
Treating the underlying health of the patient is often just as important as the procedure itself. At Liv Hospital, we ensure your body is in the best possible state to respond to the treatment.
Before the procedure, a detailed map of your current movement patterns is created.
This data serves as the clinical “baseline.” After your Facet denervation, these tests are repeated to objectively track how much your physical freedom has improved.
During the evaluation, the specialist considers the long-term visual and physical outcome for the patient.
By taking a comprehensive view of your future mobility, we ensure that the diagnosis is not just about the current pain, but about preserving your ability to move for a lifetime.
The end goal of the diagnostic phase is to reach a clear and confident management plan. Once all tests are completed—physical exam, imaging, and blocks—your specialist will sit down with you to review the findings. At Liv Hospital, we believe in a transparent diagnostic process. If you are struggling with unresolved back pain, reach out to us today for a comprehensive evaluation to secure your physical and visual future. Replacing uncertainty with a clear, data-driven plan is the first step toward a life of comfort.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Insurance companies and medical guidelines often require two separate positive test blocks on different days before approving the denervation. This is to rule out the “placebo effect” (feeling better just because you had a shot) and ensure the diagnosis is absolutely correct.
It involves a needle poke, so there is a pinch and some pressure. However, it is generally quick and well-tolerated. The numbing medicine in the skin helps.
No. X-rays only show bone. They cannot show nerves, muscles, or discs. That is why MRI or CT scans are sometimes needed if the diagnosis is unclear.
If the diagnostic block doesn’t relieve your pain, it means the facet joints are likely not the source. Your doctor will re-evaluate and look for other causes, such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction or discogenic pain.
You generally need to continue your daily meds, but you should stop taking pain pills (like opioids or ibuprofen) on the day of the test block. You need to be able to feel your pain to know if the block takes it away.
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