What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), also called radiofrequency neurotomy, is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for pain in your facet joints, which serve as the connection between the bones in your spine. This pain is typically the cause of chronic neck and mid to lower back pain.
At Athens Spine Center, the team offers RFA to patients suffering from nerve and joint pain in their spine. The radio waves from RFA create a current to heat and “burn” the nerve causing you pain. This stops the pain signals from traveling to your brain, eliminating your discomfort.
What does radiofrequency ablation treat?
In addition to treating chronic neck and back pain, patients experiencing severe joint pain in their shoulder, hips, or knees can benefit from RFA.
If you suffer from long-term pain conditions, especially in your neck, lower back, or arthritic joints that haven’t been successfully treated with other methods, RFA may be the right treatment option.
How does the procedure for radiofrequency ablation work?
When you come into Athens Spine Center, the team evaluates your pain level and where it’s located. After identifying the source of your pain, they discuss your medical history with you and any medications you’re on to determine if you’re a candidate for RFA.
After determining that RFA is the right treatment for you, the team explains the procedure to ensure your comfort. Once you feel prepared to receive RFA, they begin the process by inserting a needle-like probe into the treatment area.
Radiofrequency waves are then sent out from the probe into your surrounding tissue, which destroys the affected nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to your brain. If necessary, more than one nerve can be treated during the procedure. Most patients can return to their normal activities within 24 hours.
To learn more about radiofrequency ablation and how it could benefit you, call Athens Spine Center in Athens, GA, or use the online booking tool today to schedule an appointment.