Radiofrequency Ablation Specialist

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that stops pain signals from going through a nerve. The radiofrequency energy creates a wound on the nerve, preventing pain messages from reaching your brain. 

This procedure significantly alleviates your pain since you only feel pain after your brain gets the signal.

When would I need radiofrequency ablation?

Your provider may recommend radiofrequency ablation when your pain doesn’t improve with medical treatments. This procedure precisely targets nerves throughout your body. As a result, it can treat pain from many causes.

Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management often uses radiofrequency ablation to treat conditions such as:

• Facet joint arthritis
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Muscle spasms
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee, hip, and shoulder joint pain

Many people find that they can avoid surgery and stop taking pain medications after undergoing radiofrequency ablation. 

How do I know if radiofrequency ablation will work?

Your provider does a diagnostic nerve block before you have a radiofrequency ablation. During your nerve block, they inject a local anesthetic into the targeted nerve. If the anesthetic effectively relieves your pain, a radiofrequency ablation will also work. 

What happens during a radiofrequency ablation procedure? 

You lie on an X-ray table so your provider can use fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray images) to see the needle and precisely guide it to the nerve. After receiving a sedative, your provider applies a topical anesthetic at the injection site.

Then they insert a hollow needle through your skin and to the nerve. The needle contains a radiofrequency probe that sends radio waves into the nerve. The radio waves create a wound that blocks nerve signals.

The Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management team conveniently performs radiofrequency ablation in the office, providing patients with personal attention. Though you go home shortly after your procedure, most people rest a day or two before returning to work. 

What results should I expect after radiofrequency ablation?

You may experience immediate pain relief, but it takes about 10 days to three weeks to get the full effect for most people. From then, your pain relief can last nine months to two years. The treatment lasts until the nerve regenerates and heals, and the pain returns.

If you have questions about radiofrequency ablation, call Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management or book an appointment online today.