What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation, also called radiofrequency neurotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that provides long-lasting pain relief.
At Pinnacle Pain and Spine, our providers use RF energy to create a wound on one or more nerves. The nerve burn stops pain signals from going through the treated nerve. As a result, the nerve’s pain message doesn’t reach your brain and your pain is significantly diminished.
The pain relief provided by RF ablation is long-lasting. The results typically last from nine months to up to two years. If the nerve regrows, the effect can wear off and you’ll need another RF ablation or other pain treatment.
What conditions improve with radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation can block pain messages from anywhere in your body by targeting the right nerves as they enter your spine. It can relieve pain caused by many conditions, ranging from sports injuries and nerve pain to cancer pain and complex regional pain syndrome.
Our providers perform cervical, thoracic, and lumbar radiofrequency ablation. By targeting the nerves in all parts of your spine, RF ablation can ease arthritis pain in the facet joints and chronic back or neck pain from any cause.
How do I know if radiofrequency ablation will work for me?
Before you have radiofrequency ablation, our providers perform a diagnostic nerve block. They inject a local anesthetic at the precise nerve they intend to ablate.
If your pain improves after that injection, it shows that the appropriate nerve was targeted and you can get RF ablation.
What happens during radiofrequency ablation?
You lie down on a specialized table that allows our providers to take real-time X-rays. This type of imaging, called fluoroscopy, gives them a clear view of the targeted nerve and allows them to guide a hollow needle to that nerve.
When the needle is in place, they send RF waves through it, precisely heating and wounding or burning the nerve.
You can get up and walk as soon as your procedure is over. Most patients return to work in 24-72 hours. You may notice an immediate difference in your pain, but it takes about 10 days to experience optimal results.
To learn how radiofrequency ablation can relieve your pain, call Pinnacle Pain and Spine or book an appointment online today.
