Radiofrequency Ablation Specialist

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the nerve fibers responsible for sending pain signals to your brain. By destroying these nerves, radiofrequency ablation may provide long-term relief from chronic pain. 

Am I a candidate for radiofrequency ablation?

The experienced team at Advanced Pain Management determines if you’re a candidate for radiofrequency ablation after performing a nerve block. If you experience pain relief from a nerve block, the team may then suggest radiofrequency ablation for long-term pain relief.

The team performs nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablations to treat chronic pain conditions such as:

• Spinal arthritis
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Peripheral nerve pain
• Pelvic pain
• Cervicogenic headaches
• Chronic refractory neck pain from whiplash
• Sciatica
  
  

The team, however, may only consider you a candidate for a radiofrequency ablation if conservative treatments fail to alleviate your chronic pain conditions. 

What happens during radiofrequency ablation?

Advanced Pain Management is a multi-modality practice that performs procedures like radiofrequency ablations at the office. The entire procedure takes 15-45 minutes, and the team may ablate (destroy) more than one nerve during your session.

While you lie on an X-ray table, your provider injects a local anesthetic to numb the area undergoing the radiofrequency ablation. Using X-ray guidance, your provider inserts a hollow needle into the area responsible for your pain and injects a contrast material to ensure proper placement.

Your provider injects a numbing agent and then activates the radiofrequency energy to destroy your nerve.

The team sends you to the recovery area for a short period of monitoring before sending you home. You must arrange to have someone drive you home following your radiofrequency ablation. 

What can I expect after radiofrequency ablation?

You can resume most of your usual activities 1-3 days after the procedure. The team provides specific instructions regarding activity, medication, and follow-up care for your radiofrequency ablation.

Though it’s possible to feel pain relief from your radiofrequency ablation right away, most patients notice improvements in their pain about 10 days following the procedure. The results from the procedure may last 9-24 months.

For innovative and effective pain management solutions, call Advanced Pain Management or book an appointment online today.