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I am a diabetic and have concerns about having a medial branch block with an anesthetic and a steroid. The steroid has elevated my blood sugar. Is it effective without the steroid?

A recent study compared cervical medial branch blocks using an anesthetic, bupivacaine, with and without the use of a steriod, betamethasone. The authors concluded that the effectiveness was very similar. Therefore, the use of a steroid is not necessary during cervical medial branch blocks.

Reference: 

L. Manchikanti et al. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with one year follow up. SPINE August 2008. Volume 33, Number 17. Pp. 1813-1820.

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