Radiofrequency Ablation – An Effective Chronic Pain Management Treatment

Chronic pain can be caused by several conditions, from fibromyalgia to nerve damage and arthritis, impacting your physical health and quality of life. Treating chronic pain is essential to prevent the condition from aggravating while relieving discomfort. While there are many treatments available to treat chronic pain, radiofrequency ablation is gaining popularity for its effectiveness in managing pain. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that provides long-lasting relief from chronic pain, restoring your standard of living.

Let us discuss radiofrequency ablation, exploring how it works, its advantages, and what the procedure includes.

What Is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or radiofrequency neurotomy, utilizes radio waves to generate a current that effectively heats a localized portion of nerve tissue. This damages the targeted nerve area, interrupting the transmission of pain signals to the brain. RFA has proven to be an enduring solution for those suffering from chronic pain, particularly in the neck, lower back, and arthritic joints.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Radiofrequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation can be effective in treating:

• Pain in your back, neck, and knee
• Cancer-related pain
• Tumors (to destroy cells)
• Peripheral nerve pain
• Facial pain resulting from trigeminal neuralgia
• Chronic pain caused by sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and arthritis of the spine (spondylosis)
• Heart rhythm problems

How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?

The radiofrequency ablation process involves inserting a small hollow needle into the nerve responsible for causing the pain. Then, an electrode is placed at the top of the needle. Now, radio waves are used to generate heat, which is then allowed to pass via the needle to the targeted nerve. The heat creates a lesion that hinders the nerve's ability to transmit pain signals to the brain, thus providing relief. This procedure does not harm the surrounding healthy nerves.

See Also: Radiofrequency Ablation

What Happens Before a Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Procedure?

Before a radiofrequency ablation procedure, your doctor will:

• Review your medical history and pain and associated discomfort.
• Ask you to stop taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medications.
• Recommend x-rays to examine your anatomy, determine the severity of the condition causing your pain, or rule out other causes.
• A diagnostic block test will be performed to determine the source and intensity of your pain, and based on that, your pain relief treatment regimen will be devised.
• This test involves injecting a local anesthetic medicine near the affected area. If the medicine does not relieve pain, you will not be a candidate for RFA.
• If you experience relief from the diagnostic block, you may be recommended for RFA. 

What Happens During a Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure?

During the radiofrequency ablation procedure:

• You will be asked to lie on your stomach on an X-ray table.
• Your treatment site will be numbed with local anesthesia.
• A thin needle is inserted with the guidance of fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray) to ensure proper placement.
• To confirm the correct needle placement, a microelectrode is inserted through the hollow needle, and you will be asked whether you could feel a muscle twitch, tingling sensation, or discomfort. If you think so, the needle is positioned at the right spot.
• Radiofrequency waves will be sent through the needle to heat the painful area, destroying the nerves in and around it to prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain.

What Are the Advantages of Radiofrequency Ablation?

• Radiofrequency ablation provides substantial benefits, including:
• Completely stops or reduces pain
• Enhances your functionality and ability
• It lessens the need for pain medications
• Delays or prevents surgery
• Short recovery time that allows you to resume your routine activities within a day or two

How Long Is the Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure?

Depending on your treatment location and the number of nerves treated, radiofrequency ablation can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Comprehensive Pain Relief through Radiofrequency Ablation in Coppell, TX

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) stands as a highly effective method for chronic pain management, precisely targeting and heating problematic nerves. This treatment is available in Coppell, TX for various issues, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac joint, and knee pain. RFA provides significant pain relief and quality of life improvement without downtime or serious complications, eliminating the need for invasive surgery.

Get Rid of Your Chronic Pain at Apex Interventional Pain & Spine in Coppell, Texas

If you don't want to live with chronic pain anymore, visit Apex Interventional Pain & Spine in Coppell, Texas. We offer cervical radiofrequency ablation, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac joint and knee pain with a highly effective and precise treatment to provide long-lasting relief from chronic pain. Our skilled and experienced physicians don't just treat your pain but also help you regain your quality of life. Don't let your chronic pain hinder your activities or participation. Contact us today or book an appointment to experience a pain-free life. You can also call us at 972-833-7256 to learn more about our pain management treatments.