What Can I Expect After My Treatment
There is very little downtime associated with RFA. You may feel some soreness and even slight pain in the injection sites, as well as experience some muscle spasms, but these side effects will dissipate over the next few days. While your pain will not be gone, as nothing can rid you of pain completely, you should hopefully have a significant decrease in the amount of pain you experience.
One thing to be aware of is that your radio-frequency ablation results are not permanent. The destroyed nerve will regrow after six to 12 months and may cause continued pain.
Because of this, repeated RFA treatments may be necessary to allow you continued pain relief so that you can experience and enjoy the aspects of life that youve been missing out on.
How Is Radiofrequency Ablation Performed
Before the radiofrequency ablation procedure is performed, an anesthetic is usually intravenously administered to the patient to reduce discomfort. Next, a physician will use imaging technology to guide the placement of a special needle into the region of the spinal column where the affected nerves are located. After the correct position has been confirmed, a microelectrode that will provide the electrical current-induced heat is fed through the needle.
A mild electrical current is applied during the insertion of the microelectrode. This causes the patient to feel a tingling sensation and allows the physician to observe the patients motor and sensory responses to the stimulation. Nerves that are responsible for motor functions should not be directly targeted even if they are responsible for the pain as damage to such nerves may cause motor deficits.
After the optimal placement of the needle and electrode are confirmed, the physician will then initiate the continuous frequency or the pulsed frequency. Continuous radiofrequency ablation involves gradually increasing the frequency of the current until the electrode produces a temperature of 122-176°F . Once the appropriate temperature is reached, it is maintained for up to 90 seconds as this is the amount of time that is needed for the heat to disrupt nerve function.
Best Alternative To Rfa
A targeted and focused treatment program that combines physiotherapy with chiropractic treatments is your best alternative to spine surgery, including the minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. The best alternative to RFA is NSD Therapy®. NSD Therapy® is an integrated and noninvasive therapeutic procedure by chiropractors and physiotherapists of Chiropractic Specialty Center® in Malaysia. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy as provided through NSD Therapy® is fully customizable to meet the therapeutic challenges of various types of back pain. Here are some of the procedures often implemented for back patients through the NSD Therapy® methods of care:
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How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat produced from radio waves to target diseased tissue. When radiofrequency is applied to nerve tissue, it damages nerves, which prevents or stops the pain signal from reaching the brain and results in pain relief.
During a radiofrequency ablation procedure, a small hollow needle is inserted into the targeted nerve that is causing pain. An electrode is inserted into the top of the needle, which sends the radio waves through the needle to the targeted nerve. The heat causes a lesion that prevents the nerve from sending pain signals to your brain. Nearby healthy nerves are not damaged during the procedure.
Pain management within your spine
Radiofrequency ablation is often used to manage pain originating from joints and oftentimes related to pain from your spine, especially your neck and lower back .
Within your spine, nerves branch off from your spinal cord and travel to the facet joints and sacroiliac joints.
Facet joints are pairs of small joints between the vertebrae in your spine. These joints give your spine flexibility and allow movement of your back, such as twisting and bending. Two small nerves, called medial branch nerves, are connected to the facet joints and send a signal to your brain that there is pain coming from these joints.
Sacroiliac joints are found near the bottom of your spine, right above your tailbone. Lateral branch nerves that are connected to these joints send pain signals from the spine to your brain.
What Is Rfa Or Radiofrequency Ablation & Dose It Heal Back Pain
Chiropractic Specialty Center® in Malaysia provides holistic non-invasive spine and joint treatments as an alternative to radiofrequency ablation, RFA, or rhizotomy. Headaches, neck pain, knee pain, and back pain patients with slip discs or facet mediated pain can recover without radiofrequency ablation contact us today for more information.
Radiofrequency ablation or RFA, also known as rhizotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to help patients with spine or joint pain. RFA burns and kills the pain-sensing nerves to stop them from sending painful sensations. Yes, RFA or radiofrequency ablation surgery aims to destroy the nerves by burning them with radio waves! The procedure is irreversible, as is the damage it causes to the nerves and soft tissues surrounding the nerve. This article will go over some of the common conditions treated by rhizotomy .
Radiofrequency ablation or RFA is a procedure commonly performed on patients with the following conditions:
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Radio Frequency For Chronic Pain Treatment
Chronic pain can be never-ending. Or worse. It can be there as constant pain that becomes more painful and more debilitating. Chronic pain hurts, and it is painful to body and mind.Pain woke me up early today, the same pain Ive been having for years now. I woke up knowing that pain is not going anywhere, and it is going to be part of yet another day. Too many live this way. Your pain is often invisible to anyone else, but it is the most real, most pressing thing to you. A day at the office can be excruciating. You sit in a chair, and the conversation is lost in waves of pain and discomfort. The effort of sitting through pain can make you sweat. Picking up anything, be it a box or your toddler, feels impossible. You know pain is coming.As the pain gets worse, sitting and walking can become more painful, and too many activities become about overcoming pain or trying to hide it. Business meetings are dreaded, manual labor is impossible, dinners are something you try to get through, and plane travel is avoided.
Medial Branch Nerve Destruction By Radiofrequency Ablation
As mentioned, the goal with radiofrequency ablation of the lumbar spine its two damage the medial branch of the spinal nerve near the facet . Its important to understand that the medial branch of the spinal nerve is critical to your spines stability. To make this point clear, we have provided it the function of the medial branch of the spinal nerve beetle:
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Does Radiofrequency Ablation Treat Back Pain
I recently read a press release about a new low-back-disc-pain RFA treatment . The orthopedic surgeon who participated in the study had glowing reviews of the technology, and a few patient successes were highlighted. The procedure received FDA approval, and as a result, Im sure that Ill begin seeing patients now at my clinic who have had the procedure.
The problem with radiofrequency for low-back discs is of course the same problem as the one I describe above destroying the nerves in the disc is no safer in the long run than destroying the nerves that take pain from the neck or back joints. Those nerves serve a purpose. In the case of a painful disc, they help get weight and forces off the disc until it can heal.
So should we be nuking those nerves and likely causing faster degeneration of the disc, or should we be using treatments that might help the disc, like platelets and stem cells? You already know which one Im going to offer my patients.
The upshot? Radiofrequency ablation for back pain reviews are not good. RFA was a great technology for its time that helped patients in the short run and likely hurt them in the long run. However, with all of the new platelet and stem-cell-based options for the spine, it seems like this new RFA disc treatment has arrived very late to the party. No thanks for me. Ive stopped nuking important nerves in my patients to buy them some relief gave it up for good!
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References
Why You Need Proprioceptor And Pain Feedback
First of all, what is proprioception?
Have you ever heard the term Peripheral Neuropathy? It is common with aging in some people and diseases, especially diabetes.
When the terminal branches of the nerves, are injured by disease or cell death, it is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral means terminal or end branches of the nerve. Like a tree the trunk is largest, followed by the larger branches, and eventually, the end are twigs. Twigs are small branches that are similar to the end branches of our nervous system. The peripheral nerves, being much smaller are more likely to be injured.
This is why diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects the ends of your feet and legs, it can also involve the arms as well. When you lose sensation from peripheral neuropathy, you lack awareness of your position in space making missteps or falls more common. This can be and is dangerous. Hip fractures, or striking your head causing a subdural hematoma can be life-threatening or result in death. By the same mechanism, loss of sensation can lead to burns, pressure ulcers, or bedsores.
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Risks And Benefits Of Treatment
Radiofrequency ablation is considered a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that reduces pain in the low back.
The entire procedure takes 30-90 minutes in the office. The treatment has a short recovery period. Patients can resume their normal activities 1-3 days after the RFA treatment. As pain relief sets in, most patients see a .
However, like any treatment, there is a chance of side effects or complications. Immediately following the treatment, patients may experience a burning sensation or numbness at the injection site. As the area heals in the days after the procedure, these feelings will subside. Any discomfort can be managed with ice packs, rest, and topical or oral medication.
Your physician will discuss any potential risks or side effects prior to the procedure. This ensures the benefits outweigh the risks for your overall health and safety.
Who Can Benefit From Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure we use to treat a wide range of chronic pain conditions. It harnesses the power of radiofrequency waves to heat and then remove malfunctioning nerves. This effectively turns off the flow of pain signals to your brain, giving you much-needed relief from your symptoms.
Why radiofrequency waves? Theyre powerful enough to target and eliminate your nerves but safe enough not to cause damage to your other tissues and cells. Radiofrequency waves are classified as non-ionizing radiation, which means they dont have enough energy to compromise the health of your cells. In fact, you can find radiofrequency waves in everyday items like your WiFi router and smartphone.
Some of the most common causes of chronic pain that radiofrequency ablation can treat include:
- Arthritis of the spine
We conduct a thorough review of your symptoms and health history to determine if your pain stems from a nerve problem before recommending radiofrequency ablation. You may not be a candidate if youre pregnant, have an infection, or have a bleeding problem.
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What Is Lumbar Facet Joint Pain
You may feel pain if a lumbar facet joint is injured. Sometimes it feels like muscle tension. Other times it can be severe pain.
The cartilage inside the joint may be injured. Other times only connecting ligaments surrounding the joint are injured.
Facet pain also depends on which joint is affected. Lumbar facet joint pain can occur in an area from your low back down to your buttocks, groin, and hips. The diagram shows areas of pain usually associated with lumbar facet injuries.
How Well Does Radiofrequency Denervation Work
Its important to realise that radiofrequency denervation doesnt work for everyone. Studies looking at how well it works have had mixed results.
But some people do seem to benefit from the procedure. If it works for you, it may help to keep you mobile and off strong painkillers. Doctors have developed guidelines to help them decide who the treatment is most likely to help. In studies where doctors used these guidelines, as many as six out of 10 patients had significantly less pain after treatment. So, speak to your doctor about whether its likely to work for you.
Radiofrequency denervation isn’t a cure. The damaged nerve endings usually slowly grow back and the pain may return. If the treatment works for you, it may reduce your pain for between six months and two years. But in some people, it can help for longer. If it does work for you, you may be able to have the treatment repeated each time it wears off. Its a good idea to keep a pain diary as this can help your doctor see how well the treatment has worked for you.
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What Is Radiofrequency Denervation
Radiofrequency denervation is also sometimes called facet rhizolysis, radiofrequency ablation or radiofrequency neurotomy.
The treatment uses radiofrequency waves to block nerves around the facet joints in your back or neck that are causing pain. These nerves are called medial branch nerves. They send pain signals to your brain if your facet joints are inflamed.
The procedure involves putting a needle into your back under local anaesthesia. The radiofrequency waves heat the tip of the needle. This damages the nerve endings, which stops them sending pain signals to your brain.
You can access a range of treatments on a pay as you go basis, including physiotherapy. Find out more about physiotherapy >
Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine Located In Washington Dc & Arlington Va
Radiofrequency ablation is a drug-free, minimally invasive treatment to reduce nerve pain. The team of pain experts at International Spine Pain & Performance Center in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, offer radiofrequency ablation treatments to relieve your pain and help you get back to a healthy and active life. Call ISPP Center or make an appointment online today to learn more.
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Cervical Blocks To Diagnose And Relieve Pain
When a person is having pain in the cervical region of the spine, it is important to discover what is causing the pain. Knowing the source allows a doctor to select the best treatment option.
During a cervical block, the doctor injects a pain-relieving fluid into the nerves that serve the neck. A combination of a local anesthetic and cortisone are usually used in the injection.
The doctor uses X-ray guidance to place the injection in the correct nerve. If the procedure relieves the pain, the doctor knows that nerve is the source of the pain and the target for treatment.
In some cases, the cervical block is all that is needed. In other cases, its effects wear off. If a cervical block successfully numbed the pain, it is likely that a patient will have a good response to radiofrequency ablation. If it does not, the patient probably is not a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Think about any questions you would like to ask your doctor before deciding whether or not you want to have radiofrequency denervation. To start you off, here are some examples of questions you may want to ask.
- What other treatment options do I have to relieve my pain?
- What can I expect to happen after Ive had radiofrequency denervation?
- Will I be able to exercise after the procedure? What type of exercise is best?
- Should I have physiotherapy after radiofrequency denervation?
- How can I tell if radiofrequency denervation has worked? How long will it take until I know if it’s worked?
- What is the likelihood of the procedure working? How long will the effects last?
- Can I have the treatment repeated once the effects have worn off?
- How many times can I have the treatment?
- How will you reduce the risk of complications?
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What Are The Risks
Radiofrequency nerve ablation is relatively safe procedure with minimal risk of complications. The complications reported in the literature include: temporary increase in nerve pain, neuritis, neuroma, localized numbness, infection, allergic reaction to medications used during the procedure, and/or lack of pain relief .
Radiofrequency Ablation For Back Pain
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that can sometimes relieve chronic back pain. During the procedure, a doctor inserts a thin metal probe into the painful area. The probe emits radiofrequency energy that creates heat and destroys the nerve tissue that is causing pain.
RFA is a relatively new procedure, though researchers have yet to fully learn its long-term results. However, most people who have undergone RFA report significant pain relief.
There are some risks relating to RFA, including bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. However, these complications are rare, and most people do not experience any problems after RFA.
This article looks at the results and risks associated with RFA for back pain. It also covers what to expect during recovery.
heat and destroy a small area of nerve tissue. This means the nerve cannot send pain signals to the brain, resulting in reduced or eliminated back pain.
The procedure involves guiding a small needle or probe into the skin and toward the source of the pain. Once in place, the probe delivers radiofrequency energy to the treatment site.
The thermal energy this creates destroys tissue, and doctors use it to target the nerve cells responsible for transmitting or modulating the sensation of pain.
RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require general anesthesia. People can undergo this treatment as an outpatient procedure, so they can go home the same day.
The RFA procedure is as follows:
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