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Pain medicine · UK

Medial branch block + facet RFA - consultant-led, done properly.

Consultant-pain-medicine-led diagnostic medial branch blocks and, if positive, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the facet joint nerves for chronic facet-driven back or neck pain.

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A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    A named consultant, doing the work

    A named UK consultant assesses and treats you - not a delegated junior. Anatomy-led decisions, no upsell.

  • 02

    Written plan, honest numbers

    We come back within one working day with a firm quote across two or three consultant options and a written pathway.

  • 03

    Independent, and free to you

    We are paid by no clinic. The recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.

Indicative pricing

What private medial branch block + facet rfa costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our vetted UK network. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three consultant options.

In short

Diagnostic MBB then RFA (both sides, lumbar): £900–£1,800 per stage; usually 2 stages total.

Option Indicative range
Consultant pain-medicine assessment £300–£550
Diagnostic medial branch block (one level, one side) £450–£850
Diagnostic MBB (bilateral, 2–3 levels) £900–£1,600
Confirmatory second MBB (if first positive) £900–£1,600
Radiofrequency ablation (bilateral, lumbar) £1,200–£2,400
RFA - cervical (specialised) £1,500–£2,800
Follow-up (6 weeks post-RFA) £200–£350

Prices vary by clinic, by the consultant’s seniority, and by whether combinations are used. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.

The problem

A precise diagnostic, not a shotgun injection.

MBB-then-RFA works when the facet joints are actually the pain generator - and only then. The whole pathway is a diagnostic tool as much as a treatment.

  • Consultant, not delegated

    The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you - not a junior on a busy list.

  • Evidence, not sales

    The recommendation is what fits your clinical picture - not what the clinic wants to sell you today.

  • Written pathway, not verbal promise

    The plan, the prices and the follow-up are in writing before you commit - not surfaced when the invoice arrives.

The journey

From enquiry to review - what happens, in order.

One team from first message through consultation, treatment and follow-up.

  1. 01

    Before

    You tell us what is going on

    A short, confidential form. Symptoms, what you have tried, medical history and what you want the outcome to be.

  2. 02

    Before

    We come back with a recommendation

    Within one working day: whether this treatment fits, an alternative that might fit better, a matched consultant, and an indicative price.

  3. 03

    Before

    Consultant assessment

    A proper hour with the consultant - history, examination, review of any existing scans or notes, honest discussion of expectations.

  4. 04

    Before

    Consent and pre-care

    Written consent, pre-treatment instructions in writing, medication reconciliation, any tests needed before the day.

  5. 05

    On the day

    The treatment itself

    Delivered in a CQC-regulated setting by the named consultant. Written record of everything done and used, in your hands before you leave.

  6. 06

    On the day

    Immediate aftercare

    Written and messaged aftercare - what to expect, what is normal, and when to call. A same-day contact number is provided.

  7. 07

    After

    Structured follow-up

    Follow-up review at the interval that fits this treatment - included in the pathway, not sold on top.

Typical end-to-end: 1–4 weeks from enquiry to first treatment.

Who it suits

When MBB and RFA are the right choice.

The patients who benefit most, and when we route to physiotherapy, disc-directed treatment or SCS instead.

  • You have thought about this for a while

    Not an impulse - a decision you have carried and want to act on properly.

  • You want the right treatment, not the fastest

    You want to be seen by a consultant who does this every week, not the next available diary slot.

  • You have tried the obvious first steps

    GP care, over-the-counter routes, or first-line therapy - and the problem is still there.

  • You are otherwise well enough to proceed

    Stable on medication, not acutely unwell, not in a flare that would postpone treatment.

  • You are willing to follow the plan

    Attend the follow-up, take the medicines, do the physio - whichever this treatment needs to work.

  • You are prepared for the recovery

    You have thought about time off work, help at home and - where relevant - the cost of ongoing care.

  • You want a named consultant, not a rotating list

    The person who assesses you should be the person who treats you and reviews you afterwards.

  • Red flag: you were declined elsewhere and asked us to override

    If another consultant has said no on medical grounds, we will not route round that. We will explain why.

Options

Lumbar, cervical, or thoracic facet pathways.

The three spinal regions this pathway covers, and how each is done.

  • Assessment and shared decision

    A full consultant hour and honest expectations conversation - the difference between a treatment that suits you and one that only suits the clinic.

  • First-line treatment

    The evidence-based first option matched to your clinical picture. What most patients start with, and what most get on with well.

  • Course-based or staged treatments

    Some treatments deliver over three to six visits or in stages. We quote the full course, not a teaser first session.

  • Combined modality

    The strongest outcomes often come from combining approaches - medical, procedural and behavioural. We plan across the year, not the visit.

  • Maintenance

    Most conditions need ongoing care after the initial treatment. We build this into the plan up front so you know the real commitment.

  • Alternatives to consider

    Where a different treatment might suit better, we say so - including newer or older options that the marketing does not push.

  • Escalation pathway

    What happens if this treatment does not work - the next option, in writing, before you start.

  • When to say no or refer

    For patients who fall outside criteria, we route to the right specialist or back to NHS care rather than treat regardless.

Our vetted UK network

A small panel of consultants, we picked them.

UK-registered consultants across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your goals.

Selection criteria

How we choose every consultant in our network.

A modern UK private clinic room
Consultant-led care

  • UK-registered consultants on the GMC Specialist Register, chosen by name - not delegated lists

  • CQC-registered clinics and hospitals with a written complications and escalation policy

  • Genuine, licensed medicines and current-generation equipment - no grey-market imports

  • A same-day contact number and named nursing follow-up after every procedure

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Consultant-led private care is generally low-risk. The things worth planning are candidacy, dose or intensity, downtime and what happens if something is not right.

  • A named UK consultant, in a CQC-regulated setting

    The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you. That single change removes most of the safety problems patients tell us about.

  • Realistic outcomes, spelled out

    What this treatment can and cannot do - and what happens if it does not work. If you are hoping for something this treatment cannot deliver, we say so before you book.

  • Written pre-care and aftercare

    What to do before, on the day, and after - including medication changes, contraindications and warning signs. In writing and by message, not verbally in a corridor.

  • Rare but serious risks

    Every treatment has its own list. The consultant discusses them at consent - not glossed, not exaggerated. You take those notes home.

  • Contraindications matter

    Pregnancy, active infection, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, bleeding tendency and drug interactions - all reasons to postpone. We ask, and we listen.

  • A same-day contact number

    Written aftercare plus a phone number that answers on the day. Complications improve dramatically with early intervention, and hard to reach clinics cost lives.

  • Included follow-up

    The review appointment is booked before you leave - included in the pathway price, not billed separately when something is not right.

  • Escalation to hospital where needed

    Any private pathway has to have a plan for when things escalate - which hospital, which team, and how to get there. We insist on this before we route patients.

  • Written record and second opinion

    You leave with the record, the images and the plan - enough for another consultant to pick up if you ever want a second opinion.

Reading your treatment record

Your treatment record in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever pathway you chose, the record the clinic sends you keeps to the same shape.

A consultant reviewing a treatment record

A quiet reminder

Keep every note, batch and image on file - it matters if you ever need a second opinion.

If you would like us to review a record from another clinic before your next visit, just ask.

  1. 01 Assessment

    What was recommended and why

    The consultant’s written note - history, examination, differential and the plan agreed with you. Read this alongside the pathway.

  2. 02 Procedure / Treatment

    What was actually done

    The named procedure, materials, medicines and settings used. Keep this - it matters for future care and for any second opinion.

  3. 03 Findings

    What was found or measured

    Any pathology, imaging or intra-procedural findings. Written in plain English alongside the technical terms.

  4. 04 Plan

    Follow-up, medication, warning signs

    Read this first: when to come back, medication changes, what is normal, and what needs a same-day phone call.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Insurance cover for this pathway varies by policy - some elements may be covered, others self-pay. Where NHS provision exists but is delayed, private care is the practical route. We check cover before you book.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about medial branch block + facet rfa.

Quick answers on candidacy, safety, cost and outcomes.

  • Is MBB or facet RFA available on the NHS?

    Yes, via NHS pain-medicine clinics, but access varies by ICB and waits can be 6–12 months. NICE guidance NG59 supports RFA for medial branch pain confirmed by two positive diagnostic blocks - private access uses the same evidence base.

  • Why two diagnostic blocks before RFA?

    To reduce false positives. A single positive block can be placebo. Two positive blocks with different anaesthetics is the standard before committing to RFA. Skipping the second block is a common short-cut that gives worse RFA outcomes.

  • How much does private MBB and RFA cost in the UK?

    Roughly £900–£1,800 per stage - first diagnostic block, confirmatory block, then RFA if both are positive. Total for a lumbar bilateral pathway typically runs £3,000–£5,500 including consultation and follow-up.

  • How long does RFA last?

    Six to eighteen months in most patients, with a subset getting longer. Nerves regenerate over time and RFA can be repeated when pain returns. Around 60–70% of correctly selected patients get meaningful relief from the first RFA.

  • What are the risks?

    Transient soreness at injection sites, a small risk of infection, and - very rarely - nerve injury or bleeding. Fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance is standard; the procedure is done awake with local anaesthetic.

  • Is this a cure for back pain?

    No - it treats facet-driven pain specifically. It does not treat disc, muscle or neuropathic pain. Careful clinical selection plus positive diagnostic blocks is what makes the difference between a working RFA and a wasted one.

Related treatments

Looking for something else?

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