Chronic back and neck pain can severely impact your quality of life, affecting everything from daily activities to sleep and mental well-being.
When traditional treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections, fall short, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) emerges as an advanced, minimally invasive option that offers long-lasting relief.
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses localized heat generated by radio waves. This heat targets specific nerves within the body.
Radiofrequency ablation is also known as radiofrequency rhizotomy or radiofrequency neurotomy.
As a treatment for neck and back pain, the RFA procedure is commonly used to relieve pain originating from facet and sacroiliac joints.
Facet Joints
Facet joints are small stabilizing connections between and above each adjacent vertebra. They are located at every level of your spine, except for the uppermost two levels. Facet joints are weight-bearing, are subject to mechanical stress, and enable you to bend and twist.
Within the neck and back facet joints are small medial branch nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting pain signals to your spine and brain.
Sacroiliac Joints
Sacroiliac joints sit between the sacrum and the iliac bones of the lower back. They are in the lowest part of the spine where the spine meets the pelvis. Like facet joints, they are weight-bearing structures and are subject to mechanical stress. We each have two sacroiliac joints – one on either side of the sacrum.
Sacroiliac joints move very little compared to other joints of the spine. Within these joints are nerves called lateral branches and the lumbosacral plexus. These nerves perceive and transmit pain to the brain when they are injured.
Targeting and Disrupting Nerve Pain
When it is used, the radiofrequency ablation procedure targets and disrupts the nerve signals that cause pain in the facet and sacroiliac joints.
First, Confirming the Pain Source
In many cases, before an RFA procedure is performed, a doctor will first use a diagnostic nerve block procedure. This procedure is used to confirm that a targeted nerve is indeed the source of the pain.
During this diagnostic outpatient procedure, fluoroscopy (x-ray) imaging is used to precisely target and guide the nerve block. The nerve block involves an injection of an anesthetic medication.
This helps to confirm the source of pain, but the pain relief results are usually temporary.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
A radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. It is typically performed using needles that puncture the skin. This results in less pain, shorter recovery times, and reduced risk compared to traditional surgery.
To precisely target the nerve and guide the procedure, fluoroscopy (x-ray) imaging is used. This provides a doctor with real-time visualization, helping them ensure that the procedure is accurately directed to the targeted area.
A doctor uses a local anesthetic to numb the area where the procedure will be performed. A specialized needle is then guided over the affected nerves. Radiofrequency energy is then sent through the needle. The heat from this energy disrupts the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals.
The procedure is typically completed in less than an hour.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Most patients resume normal activities within a few days after the procedure. Some experience mild soreness or discomfort at the treatment site, which typically resolves quickly. Pain relief may begin anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the individual and the extent of nerve involvement.
Since a diagnostic nerve block is used in most cases before the procedure, RFA procedures typically have high success rates. Actual success rates can vary depending on a patient’s specific condition and their response to the procedure.
Success may also depend on a patient’s adherence to post-procedure care, rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments. While the duration of radiofrequency ablation pain relief can vary from person to person, relief may last from six months to a year or even longer.
Conclusion
Radiofrequency Ablation offers a safe, effective, and drug-free alternative for patients struggling with persistent back or neck pain. By targeting pain at its source, RFA can help you regain control of your life, restore mobility, and enjoy a better quality of life, without the need for major invasive surgery.
If you’re experiencing chronic spine-related pain and haven’t found lasting relief, speak with a physiatrist or pain management specialist to see if RFA is the right solution for you.