Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that is used for pain management and alleviation. This procedure is generally performed in the doctor’s office. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat and radio waves to reduce pain, by placing a needle in the area of the nerve. This procedure prevents pain signals from being sent back to your brain. This treatment is the right one for long-term and chronic pain conditions, which haven’t been successfully treated in the past. Radiofrequency ablation focuses especially on the neck, lower back or arthritis joints.
At Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management we are prepared to provide radiofrequency ablation services. Our doctors will identify the area of pain and treat it with the best solution so that you can go back to your daily activities. Schedule an appointment today.
Book an appointment
in 2 minutes!
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is used for pain management and alleviation. This procedure is generally performed in the doctor’s office. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat and radio waves to reduce pain, by placing a needle in the area of the nerve. This procedure prevents pain signals from being sent back to your brain. This treatment is the right one for long-term and chronic pain conditions, which haven’t been successfully treated in the past. Radiofrequency ablation focuses especially on the neck, lower back or arthritis joints.
At Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management we are prepared to provide radiofrequency ablation services. Our doctors will identify the area of pain and treat it with the best solution so that you can go back to your daily activities. Schedule an appointment today.
What radiofrequency ablation can achieve
- Stop or reduce pain by blocking signals from the nerves to the brain
- Improve functionality by providing relief
- Reduce the number of pain medications taken
- Avoid or delay surgery
What conditions can be treated with radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat different types of conditions that cause chronic pain. In many cases, people choose radiofrequency ablation after trying many ways of alleviating their pain, unsuccessfully. Let’s go over some of the conditions that can be treated with radiofrequency ablation:
- Chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis of the spine
- Pain in your neck, back, knee and joints
- Facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia
- Peripheral nerve pain
- Heart rhythm problems
- Tumors (to kill cells)
How to recover after Radiofrequency Ablation
A tiny hollow needle is placed into the pain-causing nerve during a radiofrequency ablation procedure. The radio waves are sent through the needle to the intended nerve after an electrode is put into the tip of the needle. The nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals to your brain is compromised by the heat, which causes a small lesion. The treatment does not harm nearby healthy nerves.
After the RFA, the patient is sent to a recovery room where the vital signs are continually monitored for 15 to an hour (if sedation was used). Depending on the area being treated, a sunburn-like sensation of hypersensitivity and superficial searing pain may be felt. Sometimes the skin over the affected area may also feel slightly numb.
A few precautions and tips for the first day or two after radiofrequency ablation are:
Using an ice pack may be used intermittently to numb the pain and reduce swelling on the injection site
- Ice packs must be used for 15 to 20 minutes at a time with a break of at least two hours in between to avoid skin injury
- Heat packs are usually not advised on the injection site after radiofrequency ablation
Schedule an appointment at the nearest clinic of Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management, where a doctor will assess your condition and symptoms and decide whether radiofrequency ablation is the best treatment for you.
Book an appointment
in 2 minutes!