Treatment of spinal nerve pain with radiofrequency ablation is becoming extremely effective. A pain management doctor or neurosurgeon may use a small needle to administer heat to the area surrounding the painful nerve, blocking the nerve’s ability to send pain signals. The needle is inserted under the skin, and the doctor then uses imaging to guide the needle to the correct location. The nerve is treated by heating the needle’s tip with an electrical current. The procedure is done in a clean operating room while the patient is under general anesthesia. If you are not convinced that Woodstock radiofrequency ablation is what you need, you should consider it if you have been dealing with the following conditions.
Low-back pain
Pain in the lower back is a typical complaint. According to studies, almost 80% of people worldwide will suffer from back discomfort at some point. This discomfort might originate from the intervertebral disc, the sacroiliac joint, or the lumbar facet joints. Thankfully, radiofrequency nerve ablation is an ideal treatment for persistent back pain.
Pain in the neck
Cervical radiofrequency ablation is effective for a wide range of neck pain conditions. Cervical spine injuries and degeneration are common because of the area’s fragility. Facet joint syndrome and arthritis are uncommon in the lower back and may manifest in the neck.
The medial branching nerves or the sphenopalatine ganglion, a collection of nerves responsible for facial and head discomfort, might be the focus of radiofrequency ablation treatment for neck pain. It also means that radiofrequency ablation may be helpful for some types of persistent headaches.
Whatever the reason, evidence supports the use of radiofrequency ablation for neck discomfort, which includes:
- Seventy percent of participants in a 2020 trial reported better or extremely improved pain levels after 12 months.
- RFA has been demonstrated to be safe and effective even in individuals with pre-existing cervical spine hardware.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is discomfort that persists for three months or more despite using pain medication. Constant pain is a problem for millions of individuals. Your mental, emotional, physical, and social health will all suffer from this kind of suffering. When conventional medical testing fails to identify the source of the patient’s discomfort, RFA may be effective.
Venous insufficiency
Pain and swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet may be caused by chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when blood flow is inadequate from one or more sick veins in the legs back up to the heart. Sealing off the damaged vein using radiofrequency ablation allows blood flow to be redirected to healthy veins in the legs.
Arthritis
Stress and embarrassment may accompany this kind of discomfort. Arthritis is an umbrella word for conditions that cause pain and stiffness in joints throughout the body. Age, bacterial infections, traumas, and genetics are among the major causes of arthritis. Some genes have been linked to developing autoimmune illnesses, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Radiofrequency ablation is helpful for patients with arthritis.
Radiofrequency ablation got you covered if you suffer from chronic pain or any of the above conditions. It is minimally invasive and should get you feeling better where other treatment methods may fail. Contact Alliance Spine & Pain for any questions regarding radiofrequency ablation.
