Radiofrequency Neurotomy (Ablation): What Does It Actually Do?

Chronic pain can make the simplest daily activities unbearable. When the pain persists in the lower back, neck, hips, or knees, the journey to pain relief can be one of constant dead ends and broken promises. Anti-inflammatory drugs might offer little to no relief. Meanwhile, physical therapy’s rewards do not seem to match the effort you put in. You feel like you’re left with the one option you really don’t want to try: major surgery.

If you have not tried radiofrequency neurotomy, you are not out of options yet. You might know the treatment as radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Yet regardless of the particular name a doctor might prefer, the procedure represents modern interventional pain management by way of a highly targeted solution that interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain. That is the whole key to RFA’s success.

How Radiofrequency Neurotomy Works

The doctors at LoneStarPain.com in Weatherford, TX explain that radiofrequency neurotomy works by addressing the central nervous system. Think of the nervous system as a complex network of electrical wires running throughout the body. When a joint is injured or becomes arthritic, its surrounding nerves send continuous electrical signals to the brain. These signals are interpreted as pain.

Radiofrequency neurotomy works by ‘turning off’ these electrical signals. The effect is only temporary, but the pain relief it offers is very real. RFA relies on heat energy to do what it does.

The procedure begins with the patient lying on an examination table, face down. A needle is injected into the back and guided to the right location using fluoroscopy. Once properly located, the needle is gently warmed with radiofrequency waves. Its heat zone alters a section of the targeted nerve, creating a small lesion. The lesion blocks pain signals so that they never reach their destination.

It is Designed for Specific Back Problems

Patients should understand that radiofrequency neurotomy is not a general treatment for all types of pain. Rather, it is highly specific to certain structural issues – like facet joint syndrome and spinal arthritis. Doctors tend to look for certain characteristics when determining if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure:

• Localized Pain – A patient’s discomfort occurs predominantly on one or both sides of the lower back or neck.

• Radiation – The pain may radiate into the buttocks and thighs. However, it does not reach past the knee.

• Aggravation – The pain is aggravated by mechanical motion. In other words, it gets worse when twisting, bending, or lifting.

• Relief – The pain is relieved somewhat by changing position. For instance, a patient may feel a lot better when he lies down flat, as opposed to sitting in a chair.

RFA is primarily utilized to treat wear-and-tear damage in the lower back. But the technique has also proven effective for treating chronic neck pain and whiplash-related headaches.

What Patients Can Expect

Patients hoping to try RFA are usually subjected to a number of tests beforehand. Lone Star will often utilize a diagnostic procedure known as the medial branch block. This procedure identifies the specific nerve causing the patient trouble.

Post-procedure, patients can expect long-lasting pain relief for 6-24 months. Pain is likely to return at some point due to nerves having the to regenerate over time. The nice thing about radiofrequency neurotomy is that the procedure can be safely repeated once pain returns.

Radiofrequency neurotomy is minimally invasive and highly effective. If you suffer from persistent back pain and your GP no longer knows how to treat it, consider visiting a pain management specialist who offers RFA and other alternative treatments.