Radiofrequency
Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure performed by Chronic Pain Relief Center to minimize lower-back pain, neck pain, and pain related to degeneration of joints due to arthritis.
AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT PRODUCED BY A RADIO WAVE HEATS A SMALL AREA OF NERVE TISSUE AND THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS, DECREASES PAIN SIGNALS FROM THAT AREA.
Radiofrequency ablation works by introducing an electrical current produced by a radio wave to an area of nerve tissue. The current heats up a small area of the nerve tissue which results in a lesion. This helps minimize pain signals from that specific area. Radiofrequency ablation is most often performed with local anesthetic and mild sedation and commonly takes 30 minutes. If you’re seeking help for pain management, please contact Chronic Pain Relief Center office to schedule an evaluation – (214) 216-1810 or book your appointment online today.
TYPICAL BENEFITS OF RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION:
- Longer lasting pain relief in comparison to steroid injections
- Reduction or relief of pain
- Short recovery time
- Improved range of motion
- Reduction in pain medication
- Semi-permanent disturbance of the pain signals
- Targets nerves part of the spinal column sending pain signals to the brain
- Reduced need for anesthesia as this has a reduced degree of nerve damage.
- Decreases the pain from severe knee arthritis without needing a knee replacement
- Pain-free benefits of 6 to 12 months on average. Some patients claim pain relief for up to 2 years.
YOUR RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION PROCEDURE
Sedation via IV is recommended and the patient is monitored by an Anesthesiologist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Your physician starts the procedure by cleaning the skin around the injection site and injecting a local anesthetic to numb the skin. Another needle is placed through the numb tissue under fluoroscopy (a live X-ray used to help guide the injection to the precise target location). When proper needle placement is confirmed, a small electrical current is sent through the needle to ensure it is near the target nerve. Pulsed radiofrequency ablation is performed in intervals of high voltage current of 20 milliseconds, at a temperature between 104 and 107.8 degrees Fahrenheit which weakens the membrane target area. The nerves are numbed continuously to decrease pain while the lesion is being created. This lesion disrupts the nerve\’s ability to send pain signals. The process is then repeated for additional nerves in order to destroy the nerves and the signals that are sent to the brain.
RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION ON THE KNEE
Radiofrequency Ablation on the knee is performed with small needles around the knee capsule. Three needles are inserted around the outside of the knee near the genicular nerves. These nerves are then ablated to help decrease the pain from moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. There is minimal recovery time and no incisions needed for long-term pain relief.
RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION ON THE NECK AND BACK
When Radiofrequency Ablation is performed on the back and neck, a small needle is placed near the medial branch nerve that innervates the targeted facet joint. Sensory and motor stimulation is done in order to ensure proper placement of the needle. After live fluoroscopic X-ray pictures are taken and appropriate stimulation patterns, thermal radiofrequency ablation is performed to cauterize the nerve. After the ablation has been performed, a local anesthetic and a steroid medication, unless not indicated, are injected to help with post-procedural pain.
CONDITIONS TREATED WITH RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION
- Radiofrequency Ablation was first used primarily to treat lumbar facet joint pain, bone spurs, and tumors.
- It is now used for a variety of conditions including:
- Lumbar degenerative disc disease
Neck, back, and pain related to joints from arthritis - General arthritis pain
- Chronic lower back pain
- Facet joint pain
- Facet arthritis / arthropathy
- Chronic neck pain
- Cervical degenerative disc disease
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and degeneration
- Neuropathy
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Sacroiliac joint pain
RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION CONSULTATION WITH ARTHRITIS RELIEF INSTITUTE
If you are suffering from acute or chronic pain and need relief from arthritis or other pain conditions, please contact Chronic Pain Relief Center and we\’ll discuss the pain management treatment plan that is right for you.
Contact Chronic Pain Relief Center Today
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You can also reach us at (214) 216-1810.