RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation)

Radiofrequency ablation/rhizotomy has been a popular treatment for chronic pain in the past few years. It’s quick, easy and offers many benefits over traditional approaches to managing this type of discomfort – such as less scarring because there are no cuts with RF devices! You might want it if you suffer from:

• Backaches (chronic lower spine)
• Neck aches
• Sacroiliac joint problems
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Shoulder tightness
• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Pelvic pain
• Hip sprain
• etc.

Radiofrequency ablation/rhizotomy is a safe and effective treatment for chronic neck pain that spreads from your back to other areas of the body, including shoulders or upper torso. The procedure targets this type of lingering discomfort particularly well because it can be performed on both sides at once without causing any significant side effects.

The doctor can perform some diagnostic procedures including a genicular block to see if it reduces your pain signals.

Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for chronic neck or back pain that provides relief from 6 months up to 2 years. The key component in achieving this prolonged effectivity, however, lies with experienced physicians who have expertise in targeting nerves causing your discomfort so they can deliver accurate and safe treatments every time!

After numbing the skin with a local anesthetic, your pain specialist uses fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance) to precisely place a specialized needle next to the targeted nerve. A microelectrode is then inserted through the needle to deliver a mild, highly-controlled radiofrequency current. This creates a small heat lesion that safely disables the nerve from sending pain signals to your brain, all while you remain awake and comfortable.

Because Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, downtime is minimal. You may experience some mild soreness or muscle spasms at the treatment site for a few days, which can typically be managed with rest and an ice pack. While some patients feel relief right away, it generally takes one to three weeks for the treated nerves to completely stop transmitting pain signals and for you to experience the full benefits.