Radiofrequency Ablation (Rfa) Procedure

        Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce the pain of patients suffering from chronic pain. The electrical current produced by the radio wave is used to heat a certain area of ​​nerve tissue, thereby reducing the transmission of pain signals from that area to the brain. Thus, permanent relief is provided for people with chronic pain in the lower back, neck and joints. If short-term relief is provided by nerve block injections for chronic pain, radiofrequency ablation can be performed.

       In which diseases is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) applied?

      Radiofrequency ablation, also called rhizotomy, is most commonly used to treat the chronic pain of spinal arthritis, spinal disc herniations, large joint pain, pelvic and peripheral nerve pain. The benefits of radiofrequency ablation are: It provides avoidance of surgery, reduces the need for painkillers, improves body functions, and provides a faster return to work and other activities.

                                    How to apply the procedure

    After the patient is sedated in the operating room, the procedure needle is placed closest to the nerve under the guidance of fluoroscopy or ultrasound on which nerve to be operated. Contrast material is injected to confirm the position of the needle. After the location of the needle is confirmed, a radiofrequency current is passed through the needle to create a small and sensitive burn, called a lesion, in a small area of ​​the nerve. The current destroys the part of the nerve that transmits the pain and disrupts the pain-producing signal. The burn takes about 90 seconds for each area and more than one nerve can be burned at the same time.

                                           What happens after the procedure?

    The process takes about 20 minutes. Most patients can walk immediately after the procedure. The patient can be discharged after 2 hours. Patients are usually able to work and return to work 24 to 72 hours after the procedure. The efficacy of the procedure is experienced pain relief, typically within 10 days. For some patients, relief may be immediate and for others it may take up to three weeks. Patients may experience pain for up to 14 days after the procedure, but this is usually due to the residual effects of nerve ablation or muscle spasm.

                                             What are the results?

     Pain relief can last from 9 months to 2 years. It is possible for the nerve to regrow from the lesion created by radiofrequency ablation. If the nerve regrows, the duration of action is usually 6-12 months after the procedure. Radiofrequency ablation is 70-80% effective in people with successful nerve blocks. The procedure can be repeated if necessary.

                                                       What are the risks?

      Radiofrequency nerve ablation is a relatively safe procedure with minimal risk of complications. Complications reported in the literature are: temporary increase in nerve pain, neuritis, neuroma, localized numbness, infection, allergic reaction to drugs used during the procedure.