What is Radiofrequency Ablation for Nerve Pain?
What Does “Radiofrequency Ablation” Mean? Radiofrequency Ablation, or RFA, goes by many names: Rhizotomy, Radiofrequency Neurotomy, or Lesioning. But, don’t let all of the fancy terminologies fool you. The procedure is actually quite simple. In fact, the gist of the procedure is embedded in the name. Ablation means to remove by means of intense heat or vaporization. And, Radiofrequency refers to the type of energy waves that your doctor will use to generate this heat. Hence, RFA involves using radiofrequency waves to burn, or lesion, a problematic area on a nerve. When the nerve tissue is damaged or “stunned” by heat, it can’t send pain signals to your brain any longer. As such, patients who undergo RFA often report feeling instantaneous relief after receiving their injection. Although disabling this brain and body connection may sound extreme, it’s actually quite effective—and relatively risk-free. What Conditions is Radiofrequency Ablation Used to Treat? Historically, doctors have used RFA to treat two specific types of conditions that result from osteoarthritis: Facet Joint Pain and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. Facet Joint Pain: Located on the back side of your spine, your facet joints serve as the point of connection between two adjacent vertebrae. Whenever you move or articulate your spine, your facet joints allow for this movement. Because your facet joints are constantly involved in adjusting your posture, they tend to suffer from quicker-than-average levels of wear and tear. As the cartilage that lines these joints breaks down, the amount of space reserved for the nerves around our spine also shrinks. As our nerves become pinched, symptoms of nerve pain, like tingling and muscle spasms, can emerge. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction: SI Joint Pain occurs when the joint that connects the sacrum to the ilium (or hip bone) becomes inflamed. As with the facet joints, osteoarthritis often attacks the hips. As the cartilage and ligaments that support the hip wear down, the nerve-rich SI joint can suffer compression. When simple nerves blocks for SI joint pain fail to provide adequate relief, you may need a more aggressive approach, like RFA, to jumpstart your recovery process. Have you been suffering from chronic hip or lower back pain? If traditional pain relief methods, like pain medications, have not worked for you, then contact a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. A qualified orthopedist can help you diagnose the source of your pain and suggest minimally invasive treatments, like RFA. How is Radiofrequency Ablation Performed? To determine if you need RFA, your doctor will likely perform a series of diagnostic injections first. These procedures are known as Facet Blocks or SI Joint Block injections. If your doctor delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into your joint and your pain abates, then your doctor can conclusively determine that you have facet joint or SI joint pain. Equipped with a correct diagnosis, your doctor will give you clearance to undergo RFA. During an RFA, your doctor will offer you gentle sedation via an intravenous (iv) line. (Your doctor will deliver this medication to help relax your
