Radiofrequency Ablation | Conditions and Treatments : Do you have chronic pain in your back, neck, buttocks, knee, or hip joint that has not stopped even after taking several pain medications, undergone several pain treatments and therapies? If your answer is YES, then you may consider undergoing radiofrequency ablation.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Pain
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure commonly used for the treatment of chronic pain in the back, neck and buttocks. It may also be used for the treatment of chronic knee or hip joint pain
Radiofrequency ablation involves the use of radiofrequency heat to target specific nerves and disrupt them from carrying pain signals to the brain. By destroying or disrupting the nerves from carrying pain signals to the brain, patients experience pain relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Facet joints are pairs of small joints in between the vertebrae of the spine. The facet joints connect the bones of the spine to each other. The joints are present on both sides of the spine and they link the neck down to the lower back.
The facet joint is surrounded by a capsule filled with a small amount of synovial fluid that acts as lubricants to reduce friction between bones of the spine. Arthritis or degenerative changes to the facet joint can cause the cartilage inside the facet joint to break down and become inflamed. This can trigger pain signals in nearby nerve endings.
The sacroiliac joint connects the hip bones to the sacrum. The sacroiliac joint acts as a shock absorber between the upper body and the pelvis and legs.
Hyper-mobility or instability in the sacroiliac joint can cause the pelvis to become unstable, leading to pain. Patients may feel this pain in the lower back and/or hip. Pain may also radiate into the groin area.
Rheumatoid conditions, injection, or other causes may cause inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, causing pain and stiffness.
Radiofrequency ablation of the facet and sacroiliac joint is a procedure that uses radiofrequency heat to destroy the nerves that are transferring pain signals to the brain. These nerves carry pain signals from the injured facet or sacroiliac joint to the brain. When the nerves are destroyed, they’re no longer able to carry pain signals to the brain, thereby providing pain relief.
Lumbar Facet Rhizotomy/Radio-Frequency Ablation
A lumbar facet rhizotomy and radiofrequency ablation provide lower back pain relief by blocking nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.
Lumbar facet rhizotomy is usually done for individuals who have already had at least one or two medial branch blocks and have identified the exact source of their pain.
Lumbar facet rhizotomy involves inserting a needle with an electrode at the tip alongside the nerves to the facet joint. The electrode is heated using radiofrequency and cauterizes the nerve ending, thereby blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment for Neck, Back pain
Radiofrequency ablation is usually used for the treatment of chronic neck and back pain. If you are experiencing chronic neck and back pain and haven’t found relief after undergoing various conservative treatments, your doctor may recommend radiofrequency ablation.
FAQs
How many times can radiofrequency ablation be done?
Radiofrequency ablation may be repeated when the burnt nerve regrows. A nerve may regrow in 6-12 months.
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