/assets/production/practices/4df2dd1c6ed44d2fd13516e94c98d3e5104fd522/images/2809783.jpg)
If you live with chronic pain that stops you from staying active and enjoying life, it may be time to consider radiofrequency ablation. At Desert Pain Specialists, Roland Reinhart, MD, and Meaghan Berglund, PA-C, specialize in this interventional treatment that has the ability to alleviate your pain for at least nine months. To learn more about radiofrequency ablation, call the office or request an appointment online today.
Radiofrequency Ablation Q & A
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radio waves to create a precise wound on one or more nerves. The wound stops pain signals from traveling through the nerve, which prevents them from reaching your brain.
Your pain is significantly diminished when the pain signals can’t make it to your brain. Most patients who have radiofrequency ablation find that their pain is reduced by 70-80%.
Your pain relief is also long-lasting. The results of radiofrequency ablation usually last from nine months to more than two years, depending on how rapidly the nerve regrows.
In some cases, the nerve may regrow in about 6-12 months, however. In this case, you may need another radiofrequency ablation to maintain your results longer.
What pain conditions improve with radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation can block pain messages coming from anywhere in your body by stopping the nerve signals at your spine. As a result, radiofrequency ablation alleviates pain arising from many different causes, including pain due to arthritis and neuropathy.
Desert Pain Specialists may recommend this procedure to relieve pain affecting your neck, back, knees, shoulders, hips, and other areas.
How do I know if radiofrequency ablation will work for me?
Before you have radiofrequency ablation, you may undergo a diagnostic nerve block. Your provider at Desert Pain Specialists determines if a specific nerve is the source of your pain by injecting a local anesthetic. If the medication relieves your pain, it’s a good sign that you’ll also get pain relief when the same nerve has radiofrequency ablation.
What should I expect during radiofrequency ablation?
Your procedure is performed while you lie on an X-ray table. Your provider at Desert Pain Specialists uses a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopic imaging to see your nerve and guide the needle. You’ll receive a local anesthetic and, in some cases, an IV sedative.
Your provider guides a narrow, hollow needle to the targeted nerve. When the needle is in place, radiofrequency waves go through it, producing heat that creates a wound on the nerve.
You can get up and walk around as soon as your radiofrequency ablation is finished. Most patients return to work within 24-72 hours.
You’ll likely experience pain relief in about 10 days. For some, the results are immediate, while others find that it takes a few weeks to achieve the full effect.
To learn if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation, call Desert Pain Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.