Back and neck pain are common conditions that many people experience. In fact, over 80% of the world’s population will have low back or neck pain at some point in their life. Pain can come from problems in the lumbar or cervical facet joints, the sacroiliac joint, and the intervertebral discs. One solution to chronic pain is the use of radiofrequency nerve ablation.
What Is Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation?
Also called rhizotomy, radiofrequency nerve ablation is a non-surgical procedure that uses heat to reduce pain. It is non-invasive and contains very few risks. The technology eliminates the transmission of pain signals to the brain by disrupting the nerve signal. The quick procedure involves Dr. Manvar relying on x-ray guidance to place a small needle in the appropriate area of nerves and then inserts an electrode through the needle. The electrode creates a high-frequency, alternating electrical current generated via radio waves which the pain specialist uses to create a heat lesion on the nerves. Once the nerve is ablated, it no longer sends pain signals to the brain, providing relief.
What Conditions Can Radiofrequency Ablation Treat?
Low-Back Pain
Low-back pain is a common condition that affects people. This kind of pain can result from the sacroiliac joint, lumbar facet joints, and intervertebral disc. Luckily, radiofrequency nerve ablation functions as a phenomenal remedy for chronic back pain.
Neck Pain
Neck pain results from degenerative diseases, trauma, wrong posture, tumors, muscle pains, and bone or joint abnormalities. If the neck pain persists, it is advisable to contact a qualified physician for more diagnoses. In most scenarios, Dr. Manvar will recommend the patient to undergo cervical facet radiofrequency ablation.
Chronic Pain
Any pain that does not respond to painkillers or lasts for more than three months or more is chronic. Millions of people suffer from chronic pain. This type of pain affects your sleep, emotions, physical and social wellbeing.
Arthritis
This pain is stressful and can be humiliating. Arthritis is a broad term covering many diseases that affect the joints of your knees, fingers, and even hips. The significant causes of arthritis are age, bacterial infections, injuries, and genes. Arthritis diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with specific genes. Patients with arthritis can benefit from radiofrequency ablation.
Radiofrequency nerve ablation is approved by most insurances once the patient has undergone two separate diagnostic medial branch blocks or facet blocks to confirm the area of pain.
Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation is Proven to Be Effective for Nerve Pain
After the procedure, you may still feel pain for up to 14 days. This is usually because of the lingering effects of the nerve ablation. One of the benefits of radiofrequency nerve ablation is a short recovery time. Patients can get back to their daily routines between 1-3 days after the procedure. Most of the studies focusing on lumbar facet joints show that radiofrequency nerve ablation significantly reduces pain. Two studies were done to observe the effectiveness of radiofrequency nerve ablation for treating sacroiliac joint pain. When using a numeric scale of 0-10, results showed a 3.7 reduction in pain at three months after the procedure.
Many have found radiofrequency nerve ablation to be 70-80% effective for those who have had successful nerve blocks. Patients will experience pain relief as soon as ten days after treatment, and it can last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. You may find a decreased need for pain medication and an improvement in function. The nerve can potentially regrow 6-12 months after treatment. Fortunately, patients can repeat the procedure if their pain returns. Not only is radiofrequency nerve ablation safe, but you will find significant relief.
Call us today at 704-317-1440 to schedule a new patient consultation if you want to learn more about RFA and how it may benefit your ongoing pain!
