Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive pain management procedure that helps reduce symptoms associated with facet joint pain. Facet joint pain can occur anywhere in the spine, but is most common in the lower back and neck. Southwest Spine and Pain Center provides this treatment option to those suffering from chronic neck and back pain, and if eligible, highly recommends it for patients.
With the help of electrical currents and heat waves, this procedure can decrease pain signals from damaged nerve tissue and provide long-lasting relief. In some cases, lumbar radiofrequency can provide patients with several years of pain relief.
If you’re interested in radiofrequency ablation, consult your Southwest Spine and Pain Center physician. Most patients are candidates for this therapy if they suffer from pain and/or tenderness in the back, difficulty rotating the head, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain and stiffness. However, if you have a history of ongoing infections or bleeding issues, there could be complications, so it’s best to discuss this with one of the pain management specialists.
On the day of the procedure, a mild sedation is administered and a local anesthetic is applied to the area of skin where the radiofrequency needle will be injected.
With an x-ray fluoroscope to direct the needle, a small electrical current is passed through the needle to recreate the patient’s pain and generate a muscle twitch. These targeted nerves are then numbed and radiofrequency waves are introduced to heat the tip of the needle.
A heat lesion is created on the nerve to disrupt the nerve's ability to send pain signals. This process is repeated several times for other damaged nerves, and the entire procedure could be completed within 30 to 90 minutes. Patients can return home about 1 to 3 hours after the procedure.
A few days following the procedure, the area treated will probably be pretty sore as a result of the targeted nerves dying from the heat lesion. You could feel soreness around the injection site for about 7 - 14 days post-procedure. If you feel soreness, itchiness or swelling after the 14 days, call your Southwest Spine and Pain Center physician immediately.
Relief may not occur until two to three weeks after the procedure. However, a few days after radiofrequency ablation, patients usually report a gradual decrease in pain with continued improvement for the following weeks. Results may also include:
- Pain relief for up to 2 years
- Greater range of motion
- Short recovery time
- Low complication and morbidity rates
- Longer lasting pain relief compared to steroid injections
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2014
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