Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is an innovative medical technique intended to alleviate chronic pain. By impeding nerve signals, RFA aims to lessen pain. RFA employs the use of heat that is produced through radio waves. Because of RFA, pain signals sent to the brain are greatly controlled. This has now become a vital practice in pain management for those with long-term neck pain, back pain, cancer pain, joints pain and neuropathic pain Etc.
Understanding Radiofrequency Ablation
RFA makes use of radiofrequency energy in order to heat up nerve tissues that can then block their power to send pain messages. This procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and is done after checking whether other conservative measures have been effective such as medications or physical therapy.
Features Of RFA
- RFA is often performed on patients suffering from:
- Persistent neck or back pain: This form of pain usually comes from facet joint arthritis or other issues affecting the spine, like degenerative changes.
- Arthritis-related joint pain: Typically occurring within the hips and knees when other treatments are not successful.
- Pain in the sacroiliac joint: Pain that arises from the joints that join the lower spine to pelvis.
- Pain in the periphery nerves: Including trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia and other neuralgia etc.
What Is the Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure?
Just as other medical procedures, the RFA is implemented with the utmost care and attention to detail so that everything, from the execution to the comfort of the patient, is taken into account.
- The first step of RFA is to make sure systematized structures are in place, and to ensure that the area is cleaned and that a local anesthetic is administered.
- The second step is imaging. Here, pain Management Doctor uses fluoroscopy or ultrasound to make sure that the affected nerves area being focused on treated area.
- The next step involves grabbing the treatment area with a specialized device – this is referred to as injecting a radiofrequency cannula into the effected area which will allow for more aim towards the specific target.
- The next step will involve a lower voltage electric current being passed through the cannula, stimulating a refresh in sensation or motor act due to the proximity of stimulus to the receptor. This helps to understand where the nerves are located.
- The next step is referred to as ablation which will occur when the appropriate location and position of the device is established. RFA device is activated which electromagnetically tears apart the nerve tissues to form a lesion.
- But not too worry, once, the device is turned off the bandage is place in the area which was supposed to mark the injection area where it is not visible.
Whole radiofrequency Procedure usually does not take longer than range of half an hour to seventy minutes depending on the number of affected nerves and their designated location.
Is There An Advantage To RFA
People that utilize RFA tend to point out a few upsides as well:-
- Patients are elivated from extreme Pain: For a lot of patients that have repeativly dealt with immense Pain on a day to day basis this can greatly improve their quality of life.
- Minimally Invasive: The process only requires a few needle prick insertions, which decreases the chances of complications while improving recovery time.
- Outpatient Procedure: RFA is usually carried out on an outpatient basis, so the patients can go home the same day.
- Reduced Reliance on Medications: Effective pain relief achieved from RFA decreases the need for pain medications, reducing potential side effects and dependency risk.
Risks and Considerations
Although RFA is relatively safe, patients should consider the following risks:
- Temporary Discomfort: Some patients after the procedure may experience some minor pain or discomfort at the site of insertion.
- Nerve Damage: Uncommonly, there is a risk of some degree of incidental nerve damage which could result in numbness or weakness.
- Infection or Bleeding: Just as with every other invasive procedure, the risk of getting an infection and bleeding at the site of needle insertion is small.
It is critical to speak with your doctor about these risks to ascertain whether or not RFA is right for your particular medical condition.
The Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
Patients report varying levels of effectiveness with RFA, with good pain relief from discomfort lasting between 1 year to 5 years. Factors that affect results are the type of conditions being treated, nerve identification, and differences between patients. Some procedures may need to be repeated as some nerves can heal after a while.
Come to Solace Pain & Spine Management Centre
Solace Pain and Spine Management Centre provides updated endoscopic spine surgery options to patients suffering from chronic back pain, sciatica, and disc herniation needing immediate and long lasting treatment.
At Solace Pain and Spine Management Centre we offer:
- Competition Experienced Spine Specialists: Our Staff are well versed with the use of modern technology to perform minimally invasive procedures safely and precisely as it is meant to be done.
- General treatment plans: Every patient has different conditions that require attention so our measures are focused on reducing recovery time with least interference to normal life.
Back pain can be very much restricting but it does not mean that it should be his life. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation and get the necessary information to put your comfort first and pain last.