When frontline approaches to pain management, like pain management medications, fail, patients are often left feeling that their only hope is invasive surgical solutions for pain management. Luckily, there are several minimally invasive approaches to pain management that are available for many types and causes of chronic pain, including one of the best: radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA treatments use heat to target pain signals from specific nerves, giving you the pain relief you are looking for without the long downtime that can come with more invasive procedures. We’ll take a closer look at RFA treatments and what makes it one of pain management’s most effective treatment options.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Work?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) provides patients with pain relief by using heat to target and block specific pain signals traveling along nerves before they reach the brain. This heat is generated by radiofrequency energy and is applied directly to the targeted nerve using a specialized needle and medical imaging guidance. During treatment, the radiofrequency energy creates a small lesion in the targeted nerve, preventing it from sending pain signals to the brain. Done under the watch of specially trained pain management specialists, RFA treatments can be an excellent tool to help many pain patients find the relief they are looking for in a minimally invasive way.
What Conditions Can Radiofrequency Ablation Treat?
Radiofrequency ablation can be used for a variety of chronic pain conditions, but it is most commonly used for pain originating from the spinal joints. RFA treatments may be effective for pain caused by:
- Chronic lower back pain in the lumbar facet joints
- Certain types of chronic neck pain
- Arthritis related joint pain
Our team of RFA experts will review your specific pain management case with you to help determine if RFA treatments are appropriate for your specific pain management goals and needs.
Am I a Good Candidate for RFA Treatments?
While only a doctor can determine if RFA treatments are ideal for your pain management goals, patients typically consider RFA treatments when other approaches to pain management have failed. Before treatment, and as part of assessing the success rate of RFA treatments, our doctors may perform a diagnostic nerve block to identify the specific nerves associated with your pain. If you experience pain relief from the temporary nerve block, it could mean that RFA treatments are a good treatment option for you.
How Long Does Radiofrequency Ablation Pain Relief Last?
While every patient is different, those who receive pain relief from RFA treatments typically experience 6-12 months of pain relief. As the lesion caused by RFA treatments starts to heal and nerves regenerate, symptoms may return, requiring additional treatments. As with every treatment for chronic pain, individual results will vary, with some patients finding less relief and others benefiting much more. To learn more about RFA treatments and whether they are right for your pain management goals, contact our team at Specialty Pain Management today to set up your first appointment.
Get a Consultation for Radiofrequency Ablation Treatments (RFA) at Specialty Pain Management
If you’re interested in learning more about radiofrequency ablation treatments and whether they may be a good treatment option for your pain management goals, Specialty Pain Management is here to help! Contact our team today to set up your first consultation and find out whether RFA treatments are a good fit for your pain management goals.