Back pain is a common condition that many people experience. In fact, over 80% of the world's population will have lower back pain at some point in their life. Lower back pain can come from problems in the lumbar facet joints, the sacroiliac joint, and the intervertebral discs. One solution to chronic back pain is the use of radiofrequency nerve ablation.
What Is Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation?
Also called rhizotomy, radiofrequency nerve ablation is a non-surgical procedure that uses heat to reduce pain. It is non-invasive and contains very few risks. How radiofrequency nerve ablation works is that it eliminates the transmission of pain signals to the brain by burning the nerve. Some conditions that radiofrequency nerve ablation can treat are:
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis of the spine
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Sacroiliitis
Radiofrequency nerve ablation is an option available to those who have received a diagnostic pain receptor block injection.
Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation is Proven to Be Effective for Nerve Pain
After the procedure, you may still feel pain for up to 14 days. This is usually because of the lingering effects of the nerve ablation. One of the benefits of radiofrequency nerve ablation is a short recovery time. Patients can get back to their daily routines between 1-3 days after the procedure. Most of the studies focusing on lumbar facet joints show that radiofrequency nerve ablation significantly reduces pain. Two studies were done to observe the effectiveness of radiofrequency nerve ablation for treating sacroiliac joint pain. When using a numeric scale of 0-10, results showed a 3.7 reduction in pain at three months after the procedure.
Many have found radiofrequency nerve ablation to be 70-80% effective for those who have had successful nerve blocks. Patients will experience pain relief as soon as ten days after treatment, and it can last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. You may find a decreased need for pain medication and an improvement in function. The nerve can potentially regrow 6-12 months after treatment. Fortunately, patients can repeat the procedure if their pain returns. Not only is radiofrequency nerve ablation safe, but you will find significant relief.
Find Relief from Back Pain at The Pain Center
Our professionals at The Pain Center understand that our patients need a personalized approach to their needs. Our doctors specialize in back and neck pain. We keep up with the latest research to provide you with the best care. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, visit our site and contact us today.