Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) for Pain

This simple procedure treats chronic pain. It involves heating part of a nerve to block its pain signals. Radiofrequency ablation can give you long-term pain relief.

First, we numb an area of skin and tissue. Then with the help of a fluoroscope we guide a needle through the numbed skin and tissue to the painful area. Then, we insert a thin electrode through this needle. Then tests are performed with the electrode to find the nerve or nerves that are causing pain. In order to block pain, a radiofrequency current is sent through the electrode. This creates a small, precise burn on the painful nerve. The burned spot stops pain signals from traveling through your nerve to your brain. We may need to treat more than one nerve to stop the pain signals. When the procedure is done a small bandage is placed on your skin. You’re watched in a recovery room for a brief time. Then, you can go home. You may feel sore, and you may still have pain. But you’ll gradually feel pain relief. This can take several weeks.

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation, also called rhizotomy, is an innovative treatment that blocks pain signals. The procedure applies a controlled amount of radiofrequency energy to heat the nerve that’s causing your pain. The heat creates a lesion, which blocks pain signals and provides lasting pain relief.

University Pain and Spine Center often combines radiofrequency ablation with other treatments like physical therapy. It usually provides rapid pain relief with little to no recovery time and can reduce your need for medication. Radiofrequency ablation can help you get back to your regular activities quickly and safely. It can also help you avoid surgery.

What conditions improve with radiofrequency ablation?

The team at the University Pain and Spine Center uses radiofrequency ablation treatments to address a variety of painful conditions, including:

• Nerve pain
• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Sacroiliitis

The team can use radiofrequency ablation almost anywhere in your body. They often use it to address neck pain, back and spine pain, and joint pain. In most cases, the team at the University Pain and Spine Center offers radiofrequency ablation treatments if a nerve block treatment relieved your pain.

What happens during a radiofrequency ablation treatment?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Your doctor provides a sedative to keep you comfortable during the treatment and cleans the skin over the treatment area.

Then, your doctor uses fluoroscopy X-ray to guide a needle to the nerve that’s causing your pain. They feed a thin microelectrode through the needle until it’s close to or touching the damaged nerve and release the radiofrequency energy. The energy burns the nerve, creating a lesion.

The treatment only takes 15-45 minutes, depending on how many nerves your doctor treats during your appointment.

What should I expect after a radiofrequency ablation treatment?

Radiofrequency ablation provides almost immediate pain relief. You might have some tenderness at the treatment site, but this should go away within 24-48 hours.

Your doctor might recommend that you have physical therapy to address any muscular imbalances or improve your strength and flexibility to reduce your risk of future pain. They might also suggest regenerative medicine treatments to help your body repair itself.

If you have chronic pain that interferes with your mobility or quality of life, call the University Pain and Spine Center, or make an appointment online, to learn about radiofrequency ablation and how it can relieve your pain.