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Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation provides months—sometimes even years—of pain relief with a quick, simple procedure.

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What is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?

RFA is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, outpatient procedure that targets the nerve or nerves causing your pain and uses thermal energy to interrupt the pain signals at their source.

With a quick, simple procedure, RFA can provide months—sometimes even years—of pain relief. It tends to be well-tolerated and has few associated complications. The procedure can be repeated if the pain returns when the nerves regenerate.

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Minimally invasive1,2,3

RFA is an outpatient procedure carried out under local anesthetic. Most people can return to their normal activities within 24 hours.

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Proven outcomes1,2,3

More than 70% of patients treated with RFA experience relief lasting anywhere from six to twelve months—and in some cases, years.

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Versatile1,2,3

RFA can be used to treat a wide variety of pain indications from arthritic joint pain in the hip and knee to neuropathic pain in the back and neck.

How does Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) work?

Target the nerve

Target the nerve

X-ray or ultrasound imaging helps guide a special probe to the target nerve. Electrodes stimulate nerves near the area to help determine the optimal treatment locations.

Disable the nerve

Disable the nerve

The electrodes then send a small radiofrequency current into the surrounding tissue. This heats the tissue and disables the nerve so it stops sending pain signals.

Repeat for multiple pain areas

Repeat for multiple pain areas

Generally, one to four nerves are targeted in one procedure to maximise pain relief.

What is the recovery time after a Radiofrequency Ablation procedure?

After the procedure, you may experience a few days of discomfort around the procedure site(s). Doctors generally advise not to engage in any strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after treatment, but your doctor will give you complete post-procedure advice. Over the next few weeks, your pain should subside, allowing you to return to the activities you enjoyed before the onset of your chronic pain.

Who is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for?

If you suffer from chronic pain, RFA may be the right option for you. RFA can be considered for those whose pain has not been improved by medication or physical therapy and who may not be candidates for surgical treatment.

Radiofrequency Ablation can be used to treat pain (often arthritic joint pain) in a number of different areas of the body, including the back, neck, hips, knees and shoulders.

The amount of pain relief can vary from person to person, but relief can last anywhere from six to twelve months—and in some cases, for years.

Laura's story

Laura

"RF treatment allowed me to go back to my normal working activity."

Read Laura's story
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Whether you are just beginning to consider SCS or RFA or are receiving treatment, you may have questions. We can provide information about the complete journey.

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Have you been suffering from pain for more than 6 months?

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References
1 Dreyfuss P, et al. Efficacy and Validity of Radiofrequency Neurotomy for Chronic Lumbar Zygapophysial Joint Pain. Spine 2000.
2 Gofeld M, et al. Radiofrequency Denervation of the Lumbar Zygapophysial Joints—Targeting the Best Practice Authors. Pain Physician 2007; 10:291-299.
3 Govind J, et al. Radiofrequency neurotomy for the treatment of third occipital headache. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry 2003; 88-93.

 

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