Radiofrequency Ablation

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that treats nerve-related pain.

During treatment, your Coastal Spine provider uses radio waves to heat a specific area of nerve tissue. The heat destroys the nerves, keeping them from sending pain signals to your brain.

When is radiofrequency ablation used?

Coastal Spine uses radiofrequency ablation in two situations:

Rehabilitation

Chronic musculoskeletal pain makes it hard to participate in physical or occupational therapy. Radiofrequency ablation provides lasting relief that can help you stay on track with treatment.

Pain management

Back, neck, and leg pain sometimes doesn’t improve with at-home treatments. If pain keeps you from activities you love, radiofrequency ablation provides a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. One outpatient procedure can provide relief for weeks, even months.

What kinds of pain can be treated with radiofrequency ablation?

Coastal Spine uses radiofrequency ablation to treat various types of pain, including:

• Joint osteoarthritis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Sacroiliac joint (SI) pain
• Peripheral nerve pain

Radiofrequency ablation can even relieve pain caused by cancer and spinal tumors.

What does radiofrequency ablation involve?

Radiofrequency ablation takes 20-30 minutes on average, but it can take longer depending on the part of your body being treated.

Before starting, your Coastal Spine provider administers a topical anesthetic, numbing your skin. They insert a small, hollow needle into a specific area of your skin near a group of nerves causing pain.

Your provider attaches an electrode at the top of the needle and turns on the ablation device. Radio waves run through the electrode and needle, heating and destroying the targeted nerve tissue. This stops the pain signals from reaching your brain, providing lasting relief.

What’s recovery like after radiofrequency ablation?

After radiofrequency ablation, you need someone to drive you home. Take the rest of the day off and rest for at least 24 hours. It’s normal to experience pain, swelling, and bruising for a few days at the treatment site. You can apply an ice pack or take anti-inflammatory pain medication for relief.

What are the advantages of radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation offers several advantages, among them:

• Pain relief
• No surgery
• Improved function
• Short recovery time

After treatment, you can return to your routine after a day or two of rest.

Call the nearest Coastal Spine office to see if you’re a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, or book an appointment online today.