Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for various conditions. It uses controlled thermal energy generated by radio waves to destroy specifically targeted nerve tissue, providing ultimate pain relief.
You may consider radiofrequency ablation(RFA) if you have a pain condition that doesn’t resolve with more conservative care. At Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians, we use RFA for various conditions, including SI joint pain and arthritis discomfort.
Our team specializes in spine conditions and sports medicine treatments. We provide various pain management techniques, including RFA, to help you feel better.
RFA is a minimally invasive treatment that uses controlled heat to destroy nerve tissue. It’s often an option for people with chronic pain who don’t get relief from other pain management techniques.
During an RFA treatment, we use a specialized X-ray called fluoroscopy. It gives us real-time X-ray images, so we know we’re in the exact spot we need to be.
Once we find and mark the area, we insert a tiny hollow needle into the skin. An electrode then goes into the hollow needle and down to the nerve responsible for your pain. The electrode sends radio waves to the affected nerve tissue.
Heat produced by the electrode damages nerve tissue, preventing it from sending pain signals to the central nervous system. The result is long-term pain relief for people with conditions that don’t respond to more conservative options.
RFA has numerous applications, but we often utilize it for spine and sports medicine pain management. Four of the conditions we typically use RFA for include:
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes pain in the legs, feet, hands, or arms from nerve damage. RFA can reduce or eliminate pain by damaging the affected nerves, so they don’t send pain signals back to the brain.
Many people suffer from chronic knee, neck, or back pain from various conditions. RFA is a diagnostic tool we utilize to determine the cause of discomfort and treat damaged nerves for lasting relief
SI joints are a common cause of low back and leg pain. RFA is a great tool for eliminating SI joint pain by destroying the painful nerve branches that become trapped and inflamed.
Arthritis causes joint degeneration, which can be extremely painful in some cases. If other treatments haven’t provided relief, RFA is a great option to reduce everyday discomfort significantly.
Like any treatment, RFA has some limitations. We evaluate your specific symptoms, anatomy, and diagnostic scans to determine if it’s a viable option for your needs.
RFA treatments are minimally invasive, and the size and location of the nerve lesion can affect effectiveness. It’s not always successful with larger nerve issues.
The success rates of RFA vary and depend on several factors. The condition we’re treating, along with how you follow the aftercare plan, are just some of the issues that can affect the results.
We may recommend a pretreatment nerve block to ensure the area we’re treating is the true cause of your pain. If the nerve block is successful, we can generally expect RFA to address your pain effectively.
Call or message one of our conveniently located offices in Newport Beach or Carlsbad, California. Take the first step towards a pain-free life today.
