Also known as radiofrequency rhizotomy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive therapy that can offer effective nerve pain relief. A specialized needle that emits high-intensity radiofrequency waves is inserted into the spine, where it heats up one or more targeted nerves. Consequently, a precise heat lesion is formed on the nerve tissue, preventing it from transmitting pain signals. When the brain doesn’t receive pain signals, it can’t tell the body to feel pain, which results in the reduction or resolution of chronic pain and discomfort.

Radiofrequency ablation is performed under IV sedation and with the use of fluoroscopic guidance to ensure the utmost accuracy. The procedure involves very little downtime and its results can last for up to 18 months. Radiofrequency ablation is an increasingly in-demand treatment option for patients living with chronic nerve pain and the world-class doctors at Resolve Pain and Spine are on its leading edge. Contact our clinic directly to learn more.

Conditions Treated

Radiofrequency ablation is primarily used to treat chronic pain conditions involving damaged, compressed, or otherwise compromised spinal nerves. These nerves, which branch off of the spinal cord and exit the spinal canal via the facet joints (the contact points between vertebrae), connect to peripheral nerves and carry signals to and from the brain. When they become pinched, inflamed, or irritated, chronic pain and discomfort can result.

At Resolve Pain and Spine, our dedicated doctors frequently use radiofrequency ablation to address:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Facet joint disease
• Sacroiliitis
• Spondylosis

Radiofrequency ablation may also be used to effectively target pain stemming from a wide variety of other injuries or conditions.

How Diagnosis Is Performed

Before performing radiofrequency ablation, it is essential to first determine whether or not a patient’s pain is likely to respond to the procedure. This is done through a facet joint injection that targets the suspected nerve with a local anesthetic and sometimes also corticosteroids. If this diagnostic injection results in significant pain relief, it confirms the source of pain and suggests that the patient is likely to benefit from an RFA procedure.

What To Expect From Treatment

In preparation for a radiofrequency ablation procedure, your Resolve doctor will provide you with clear instructions which may include fasting or stopping certain medications, such as blood thinners. When you arrive for your treatment appointment, you can expect the following:

• You will lie face-down on an X-ray table and the treatment site will be cleaned and prepared. You will receive IV sedation to ensure the most comfortable experience possible.
• Your experienced doctor will use fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance) to insert the needle within the targeted facet joint. A testing phase will ensure that the needle isn’t impacting any motor nerves.
• Radiofrequency waves will be transmitted to heat up the targeted nerve and interrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
• An RFA procedure typically takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the circumstances.

Recovery

After your RFA procedure, you will be placed in a recovery room until you are deemed ready to be released, at which point you will need to be driven home. Once the sedation wears off, most patients require very little downtime and can return to their regular routine the next day. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 24 hours after radiofrequency ablation, and physical therapy to improve paraspinal muscle strength may be recommended. In some cases, mild discomfort or swelling may occur near the treatment area but should rapidly resolve.

For specific questions or concerns about the RFA recovery process, speak directly with the highly qualified team at Resolve Pain and Spine. We’re there for our patients every step of the way!

Why Choose Resolve Pain And Spine?

At Resolve Pain and Spine, we are a state-of-the-art pain management clinic that takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to finding the hidden causes of chronic pain and effectively addressing them. We are dedicated to improving our patients’ quality of life and, in addition to interventional pain management techniques, also draw on regenerative, integrative, and functional medicine approaches.

Our highly trained and experienced pain and spine doctors are committed to understanding each patient’s health goals and developing individualized treatment plans to move them forward on their journey to recovery. Book an initial consultation today to learn more about radiofrequency ablation and other treatment options that can help you manage and/or eliminate chronic pain once and for all!

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Ready to meet with the exceptional team at Resolve Pain and Spine, further explore radiofrequency ablation as a potential treatment option, and receive a customized plan to address your chronic pain? Contact us today! We look forward to working with you.