Am I a Candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation?

Even temporary pain can be deeply bothersome. When pain lingers on for several months or longer, becoming chronic, it can alter your life — disrupting your moods, sleep, and ability to function.

If you’re among the nearly one in four Americans who live with chronic pain and little has eased your symptoms, you may want to consider radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill, Florida, provide this minimally invasive treatment to restore your quality of life.

How radiofrequency ablation works

Radiofrequency ablation uses electromagnetic currents to heat a small amount of nerve tissue in the treatment area. The heat destroys the nerve, keeping it from transmitting pain signals to your brain.

You lie on a medical table during the procedure, which uses a thin needle guided by fluoroscopy (X-ray technology). A local anesthetic prevents discomfort and the whole treatment typically takes only 30-90 minutes.

Because it’s minimally invasive, most people can get back to their usual daily activity within 1-2 days. From there, your pain relief may last for 6-12 months or up to several years.

Conditions radiofrequency ablation treats

At Spine Institute of Florida, we offer RFA for chronic back pain and neck pain. Conditions it’s particularly helpful for include:

Arthritis of the spine (spondylosis)
Chronic joint pain, such as knee or hip
Facet joint syndrome
Nerve compression
Peripheral nerve damage
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
Trigeminal neuralgia

Radiofrequency ablation can also kill cancer cells to do away with certain tumors and reduce cancer-related pain.

Good candidates for radiofrequency ablation

You may be a strong candidate for RFA if your chronic pain is severe or hasn’t responded well to other treatments, such as physical therapy, rest, activity changes, and medication. RFA also provides an alternative to oral medication, negating the risk of drug side effects.

You may not be a candidate if you have a bleeding disorder or active infection, or don’t experience relief from a diagnostic nerve block beforehand.

RFA is ideal for pain that stems from a specific nerve, so it may not be your best bet if you have widespread pain involving various nerves.

Finding lasting pain relief

To learn more about RFA or get a customized pain relief plan, created by experts, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today. We can also recommend other treatments, from minimally invasive foraminotomy to complex spine surgery, depending on your symptoms and the underlying cause.