Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or Radiofrequency Neurolysis is one of the latest techniques in scientific medicine to manage and control pain associated with osteoarthritis or facet joint pain. It’s a non-surgical procedure where radiofrequency waves are used to interrupt the pain signals going to the brain. At Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management, this minimally invasive treatment is regulated by professional Radiofrequency Ablation doctors to improve your health. Take charge of your pain and live a healthy life with reliable Radiofrequency Ablation in Oklahoma City. Make your appointment today.
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to reduce or stop the transmission of pain. Radiofrequency waves ablate the nerve, causing the pain, essentially eliminating the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
How Does a Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
A radiofrequency ablation results in pain relief, which is the desired effect, and may last from 9 months to more than 2 years. The nerve may regrow through the burned lesion that was created by radiofrequency ablation. If the nerve regrows, it is usually 6 to 12 months after the radiofrequency ablation or neurolysis procedure.
Treatment Process
Radiofrequency Ablation treatment uses heat in the form of radiofrequency waves to destroy the affected nerve tissues, preventing these tissues from sending pain signals to your brain. Doctors recommend this treatment to manage long-term pain conditions, especially the pain of the neck or arthritis joints that haven’t been treated by any other method successfully. Doctors also recommend radiofrequency ablation for back pain. Some other conditions that can be treated with the help of Radiofrequency Ablation are cancer pain, heart rhythm problems, peripheral nerve pain, and facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia. It is also effective in killing cells that are spreading tumors in the body.
The goal of Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation treatment is to:
- Stop/reduce pain
- Improve joint function and mobility
- Reduce the amount of medication you take for pain
- Avoid surgical treatments for as long as possible
Is a Radiofrequency Ablation Right for You?
Individuals who experience chronic pain in areas such as neck pain, back pain, knee pain, and pelvis pain may experience relief from radiofrequency ablation. It’s important to note that successful pain relief after a diagnostic nerve/pain receptor block injection is the best way to tell if you would benefit from radiofrequency ablation/neurolysis.
What Does the Radiofrequency/Neurolysis Procedure Include?
Radiofrequency Ablation/Neurolysis is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that targets the diseased and affected tissue, simply destroying the tissue so it stops sending pain signals to the brain. The Radiofrequency Ablation/Neurolysis follows a simple procedure divided into the steps below:
- Step 1: The procedure begins with a specialist inserting a small hollow needle into the affected and pain-causing nerve.
- Step 2: An electrode is inserted into the needle’s top.
- Step 3: This electrode sends radio wave signals through the needle into the affected nerve, releasing heat over the targeted nerve.
- Step 4: The heat destroys the nerve, preventing it from signaling pain to your brain.
It’s important to note that this procedure is completely safe, and it does not damage the nearby nerves. So, if you were searching for “nerve ablation near me,” make an appointment at Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management.
Benefits and Side Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe procedure with very little risk of complications. At most, patients might experience side effects like mild bruising, swelling at the injection site, mild discomfort, numbness at the injection site, and weakness in their legs for about 24 hours after the treatment.
The major pros of radiofrequency ablation are:
- Quick, lasting relief: Pain relief from RFA can last from 6 to 12 months and may even last for years in some cases.
- Quick recovery: Recovery takes just 24 hours, and patients feel the full effect of this treatment within 1 to 3 weeks.
- No need for pain medication: RFA offers long-lasting results and reduces the need for over-the-top pain medications that have side effects and risks.
- Return to regular activities: Once the pain is gone, patients experience improved mobility and can return to their normal activities.
The risk of complications from RFA is very low. However, in since cases, permanent nerve damage or pain can occur. For some people, their original pain might get worse. Other complex complications, including infection and bleeding at the needle insertion site, are possible but rare. The chances of these complications are higher if an inexperienced doctor does the procedure. Talk to your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects.
Contact Radiofrequency Ablation/Neurolysis Experts in OKC
At Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management, We provide radiofrequency ablation/neurolysis procedures with expert doctors who are equipped to treat you. Let us help you improve your overall health. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment with a team member here in Oklahoma City, OK. Dr. Robinson and the team can also help you with headaches, chronic pain, nerve root block, and neuropathy treatment in OKC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Radiofrequency ablation can be repeated if the relief is only minimal after the procedure. The pain relief from this procedure lasts for 6 to 12 months. Sometimes, during this timeframe, the treated nerve can regrow again, and pain can restart. So, in these cases, your doctor will suggest you repeat radiofrequency ablation for boosted relief.
Book a ConsultationThe period of relief from radiofrequency ablation can differ depending on different people and their unique conditions. For most people, the relief from radiofrequency ablation will last from three months to a year. In most cases, the treated nerve has a high chance of regrowing after six to a year of the procedure, and the joint pain will return, too. So, radiofrequency ablation must be repeated in these cases.
Book a ConsultationThe cost of radiofrequency ablation can range between $2,618 and $3,535 for a single procedure. However, the price range of radiofrequency ablation depends on where you are getting your treatment done. If you have health insurance, you can always connect with them to know if your insurance covers the cost of the radiofrequency ablation procedure. In most places, Medicare Part B insurance will cover the cost of radiofrequency ablation.
Book a ConsultationNo, the risk of pain from radiofrequency ablation is extremely low. However, in some unique cases, radiofrequency ablation can lead to permanent nerve damage, which will result in a painful experience. Likewise, other common complications, such as bleeding or infection during radiofrequency ablation, are extremely low. But, radiofrequency ablation can cause numbness and weakness after the procedure.
Book a ConsultationAbsolutely, radiofrequency ablation is an exceptionally safe procedure. It typically carries a lower risk of complications compared to traditional open surgery. While there’s a minimal chance of bleeding or infection at the probe insertion site, it’s worth noting that these risks are quite low. Moreover, radiofrequency ablation boasts a success rate ranging from 70% to 80%, underlining its safety and effectiveness. As for side effects, individuals may experience temporary numbness, weakness, or mild bruising at the insertion point, but these effects are usually mild and short-lived. So, you can have confidence in the safety and reliability of radiofrequency ablation as a pain relief option.
Book a ConsultationRadiofrequency ablation is a non-surgical procedure, so it is not considered surgery. In fact, the procedure is much safer than an open surgery. Radiofrequency ablation is a new pain control technique where radiofrequency waves are delivered to certain nerves, and the main goal is to interrupt the pain signals to the brain and provide higher relief. Radiofrequency ablation will help you put an end to your endless, painful days.
Book a ConsultationYes, steroids are used in radiofrequency ablation. Steroids are given during a radiofrequency ablation procedure to reduce the inflammation of the nerves. Many sources argue that steroids such as corticosteroids are given during the procedure of radiofrequency ablation to reduce the immediate flare of pain that is caused by it. Even though steroid is not directly given to the patients during a radiofrequency ablation procedure, steroid is still used to lower the pain caused by the procedure.
Book a ConsultationAfter the procedure is complete, some people might feel a lingering pain for the first one or two weeks. This pain is just a minor pain that can feel like a tender spot in the treated area. However, during the pain, people also experience a significant decrease in their lumbar back pain. For a full recovery, it can take an individual about three weeks and a little more. Some people may recover faster and feel no pain in just two weeks.
Book a ConsultationMany insurers, like Medicare Part B, will cover the cost of radiofrequency ablation. Since the radiofrequency ablation procedure falls under outpatient hospital stay, Medicare Part B will cover the cost. Radiofrequency ablation that targets facet joint pain is most likely to be covered by your insurance. However, you must still connect with your insurance company to know in detail if they cover all the costs for radiofrequency ablation or not.
Book a ConsultationThe average cost for a lumbar radiofrequency ablation procedure is between $2,618 to $5,267 per procedure. However, the cost can vary depending on different factors such as:
- The specific type of procedure performed
- Geographical location
- Healthcare provider
Generally, Medicare Part B covers the costs of radiofrequency ablation since it is performed as an outpatient procedure. Depending on your insurance plan or your Medicare plan, your cost can also fluctuate.
Book a ConsultationThe nerves affected during radiofrequency ablation die within one or two weeks after the procedure. After the nerves die, you will also feel relief from your excruciating pain. However, the nerves can regrow again after 6 to 12 months, and your pain can also come back. When this happens, you need to get radiofrequency ablation done again for pain relief. Usually, the radiofrequency ablation session can last anywhere from 6 months to one year after the procedure.
Book a ConsultationAfter radiofrequency ablation, the patient can expect to become temporarily drowsy and have swelling and bruising on the probe insertion area. Hence, you should take precautions while standing or walking. Additionally, this drowsiness can last for 7 hours after the procedure, so you will be kept in the recovery warden to monitor your health. Even though it has lower risks than surgery, patients can still have bleeding or infection after the surgery. However, this is a very rare case in patients.
Book a ConsultationThe success rate of radiofrequency ablation is around 70% to 80%. After this procedure, most people return to a normal and active lifestyle, which improves their quality of life. Radiofrequency ablation effectively lasts for 6 to 12 months, and in this time, the nerve will ultimately regenerate, and in most cases, joint pain returns again.
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