Modern pain medicine seeks to maximize pain relief and improvement in quality of life, using the most advanced, non-surgical procedures. In fact, leading pain management doctors, such as at Pain and Spine Clinic in Arizona, bring the latest state-of-the-art treatments to patients looking for relief and a return to an active life.One pain management procedure that has brought relief to many chronic neck and low back pain patients is Radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and highly effective procedure to treat pain. The procedure involves the use of electrical current (produced by radio waves) to heat up a small area of nerve tissue on the spine. When the targeted nerve is heated, it loses its ability to send pain signals to the brain.
RFA Procedure
First, a nurse will administer an intravenous medication to help you relax. Then, you lie on your stomach on the procedure table. The doctor cleans the skin with an antiseptic. The procedure is carried out under a local anesthetic and a sedative so that patients can remain relaxed throughout the procedure. Using real-time x-ray the doctor inserts a microelectrode through the needle, which emits the radiofrequency energy. After the nerve tissue is treated with the current, the probe is removed, and a bandage is applied to the site.
The procedure requires less than an hour. No incisions are made. The patient can leave about half an hour after the procedure.
The radiofrequency procedure feels like any other injection technique. Patients report a feeling of soreness at the injection site and maybe some pressure during the procedure. Pain relief is often immediate for some, but can take a few weeks for others.
RFA Results
Most patients can find pain relief within a few weeks after the procedure and significant pain relief within 1-2 months. The results may for 6-12 months, and in some instances, years.
In a recent research study, 86% of patients treated with radiofrequency nerve ablation had pain relief. In this clinical report, none of the study participants had bleeding, infection, hematoma formation, or numbness of the site after the procedure. The main benefits include few risks, rare complications, no hospital stay, and significant pain relief. Another large study found radiofrequency ablation had a 93% efficacy rate.
If you are looking for a safe and effective pain relief treatment, talk to your doctor about radiofrequency ablation – a procedure that has been proven to help individuals lead a pain-free life for an extended period of time.
To consult one of the best pain management doctors in Arizona, call Pain and Spine Clinics at 480.565.PAIN (7246). Pain management specialists in Phoenix, Arizona treat all types of pain using state of the art treatments including nerve blocks, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulator treatment in Phoenix, Arizona.