A new treatment for back and neck pain? Let's learn about Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)!

Have you been suffering from back, neck, or knee pain for a long time? Maybe you've been taking medication and doing physiotherapy, but it still hasn't helped. We know how difficult it is to live with this kind of chronic pain. So, today we're going to talk about a special treatment that provides pain relief without having to go through surgery.

What is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?

The name may sound a bit complicated, but what happens here is very simple. Simply put, RFA uses radio waves to heat a very small area of ​​the nerve that is causing your pain in a controlled manner. This heat deactivates that part of the nerve. The nerve is then unable to send pain signals to the brain.

Think of it like blocking a disturbing message. When the pain message is no longer reaching the brain, the pain you feel is reduced or completely gone.

Why is this RFA treatment performed?

This treatment has several main goals. A doctor may suggest this treatment to you with the following goals:

• It's okay to eliminate your pain or significantly reduce it.
• Helping you to do your daily tasks more easily because there is less pain.
• Reducing the amount of painkillers you take daily.
• It's okay to put off going in for major surgery, or postpone it for a while.

What conditions can be treated with RFA?

RFA treatment is particularly effective for long-term (chronic) pain. You can get a good idea of ​​this from the table below.

How does this treatment work?

To understand this, let's first take a look at how pain in our spine comes about.

Your spine is made up of a stack of tiny bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. Between these bones are tiny joints called facet joints . These are what help us bend and turn. Each of these joints is connected to tiny nerves. These nerves are what send the message to the brain that if there is a problem or pain in a joint, it hurts.

RFA treatment works by finding the exact nerve that carries that message and temporarily silences it. Then, even if there is pain, you don't feel it because the message doesn't go to the brain.

Are you suitable for this treatment?

This treatment is not for everyone. Your doctor will decide if you are suitable for this.

You might be a good fit...

• If you get relief from a nerve block injection: This is the most important thing. Before RFA, your doctor will inject a numbing medicine near the nerve that they think is causing your pain. This is called a diagnostic block. If the medicine relieves your pain for a few hours, it confirms that the nerve is the cause of your pain. For such people, the chances of success of RFA treatment are very high.
• If other treatments (medication, physical therapy) are not successful.

This may not be right for you...

• If you are pregnant.
• If you have an infection.
• If you have a bleeding problem.

What happens during treatment?

There is no reason to be afraid of this. This is not a major surgery that requires you to be unconscious. You are conscious, but you do not feel any pain.

1. First, you will be made to lie on your stomach on a special X-ray table.

2. Then the doctor numbs the area of ​​skin where the needle will be inserted.

3. Fluoroscopy is a special live X-ray machine that uses a special type of light to see the area. A very thin needle is inserted into the area of ​​the nerve that is causing the pain. The X-rays show exactly where the needle is.

4. To make sure the needle is in the right place, the doctor will insert a very small electrode (microelectrode) through it and ask you questions. You may feel a slight tingling or tickling sensation. When you say, 'Yes, I can feel it,' the doctor knows it is in the right place.

5. Then, a little more numbing medicine is given to that area.

6. Finally, a radiofrequency current is sent to heat and deactivate the nerve. This takes a short time, about a minute or two.

This entire process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to about two hours , depending on the area being treated and the number of nerves.

What do you do after treatment?

You can go home shortly after the treatment.

• Someone needs to take you home. You can't drive that day.
• Go home and rest for about 24 hours without straining.
• You can start normal activities in a day or two.
• You may feel some pain and stiffness for a few days where the needle was inserted. This is normal. You can apply an ice pack to the area for about 20 minutes, then remove it and put it back on.
• The doctor will give you a follow-up appointment. Be sure to go for it.

Are there risks and side effects?

However, as with any medical treatment, there are rare cases that can occur.

• The pain may increase for a few days after treatment. Applying an ice pack and taking the medication prescribed by the doctor can help.
• There may be temporary numbness of the skin where the needle was inserted.
• Very rarely, permanent nerve damage, infection, or bleeding can occur. But these are very rare.

How effective is this? How long will the relief last?

This is the biggest problem for everyone.

Many people find significant pain relief with this treatment. Some people feel relief immediately after treatment. Others may start to feel relief after 10 days or three weeks.

Relief usually lasts from 6 to 12 months . Some lucky people can be pain-free for several years.

Will the nerve regrow?

Yes. The deactivated nerve may start to regrow after about 6-12 months. If that happens, the pain may return. But don't worry, you can have this RFA treatment again if necessary.

When do you need to talk to the doctor?

If you experience the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• If there is severe pain, redness, or swelling where the needle was inserted.
• If numbness or weakness in an arm or leg increases .

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