Treatments

Radiofrequency Ablation Procedures

Radio Frequency (RF) Nerve Ablation (also known as RF Rhizotomy) is a therapeutic procedure designed to decrease or eliminate pain symptoms within spinal facets by temporarily deactivating minor nerves around the spine. The pain generating nerves for many patients are often small, unimportant fibers which can cause severe pain. These nerves can be temporarily shut down using radiofrequency energy to heat the surrounding tissue and deactivate the pain generating nerve fibers. The procedure is performed by accessing the affected nerve under x-ray guidance. Once properly positioned, a special probe is advanced allowing the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the targeted area. An electric current is then used to cauterize the sensory nerves that innervate the facet joint(s).

Before patients can be scheduled for an RF rhizotomy procedure, they generally must undergo a series of facet injections to verify the exact source of their symptoms. These tests may require several visits. If a patient’s pain can be taken away or significantly relieved with a local anesthetic block for a short term, then blocking the nerves with Radiofrequency denervation will usually give long term or even permanent relief. If successful, the pain relief following an RF procedure can last considerably longer than relief following local anesthetic and steroid blocks (Results can last from months to years.)

This process can be used on any area of the spine–cervical, thoracic, or lumbar. Due to the trauma to the nerve, you may experience an increase in symptoms for 5-7 days after the procedure. Pain relief benefits should be apparent within 2-4 weeks.