5 Conditions Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy Can Treat

27 Jun 5 Conditions Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy Can Treat

Radiofrequency ablation therapy has been used to reduce the chronic pain associated with many different conditions. Pain begins as a signal from your nerves to your brain, where it processes that signal and responds by telling you something is wrong. Chronic pain is when this pain continues well past the usual period of recovery for an injury, or when general pain management methods aren’t working. Electrical nerve stimulation therapy can disrupt these signals to the brain, reducing chronic pain quickly.

What Is Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy?

Radiofrequency ablation therapy is also called a rhizotomy. This therapy is one of the newer methods of controlling pain. It is a non-surgical procedure that sends radiofrequency waves to injured nerves that disrupt pain signals being sent to the brain. This signal slightly heats up the nerves, causing this disruption. RFA targets pain from facet joints, which can contribute to chronic pain in the neck or lower back, and the sacroiliac joints.

5 Common Conditions It Is Used To Treat

1. Chronic Neck Pain

If your neck pain is due to a pinched nerve, radiofrequency ablation can stop the pain signals being sent to your brain. Nerves can be pinched in between the vertebra of the neck from regular injury or major trauma. Your doctor should pinpoint where the pain in your neck is coming from, ensuring the treatment is sent to the right nerve.

2. Chronic Back Pain

A pinched nerve can also occur in your mid or lower back. A slipped disc in your back can put a lot of pressure on the nerves in the surrounding area. This can cause chronic pain to radiate from your back to your upper or lower body. Radiofrequency ablation can stop these nerves from sending out pain signals constantly, reducing your chronic back pain.

3. Chronic Knee Pain

Nerves can be damaged in the knee after injury, or major surgeries. These damaged nerves can send out pain signals all the time, leading to chronic pain. Radiofrequency ablation therapy has been known to treat this pain. It can reduce the pain in your knee by heating the nerves, temporarily stopping the signals to your brain.

4. Degenerative Arthritis

As you age, the cartilage in your joints begins to break down. This cartilage is supposed to cushion bones from each other. Once it starts to break down your joints begin to swell. This swelling can push on nerves in the injured area, which leads to chronic pain. Radiofrequency ablation can stop this chronic pain.

5. Facet Joint Pain

Facet joints are located in your spine and are responsible for making the spine flexible and mobile. When the facet joints are injured, they become swollen and inflamed. The nerves in the area are pressed down on by surrounding fluid, causing chronic pain. Radiofrequency ablation therapy will stop this pain by deactivating these nerves, stopping the pain signals being released.