Key Information

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)  is a minimally invasive procedure that uses specialized equipment to target nerves responsible for  joint and nerve related pain.  RFA is usually performed under local anesthetic  and can provide pain relief for up to 18 months.

As with many spinal injections, RFA is best performed under Imaging guidance  – fluoroscopy (live x-ray) or CT , for precise placement of the needle and to avoid complications .

RFA treatment involves our  Interventional Radiologist carefully placing needles directly targeting nerves that are causing pain.  The target nerve is numbed to minimize pain whilst heat is produced at the tip of the needle. This heat lesion disrupts the nerves ability to send pain signals to the brain.

RFA  can provide  reduction in pain from 6 months to a few years.

There are two types of Radiofrequency treatments;

1. Radiofrequency neurotomy (rhizotomy) – A Rhizotomy, also known as a radio frequency denervation, sends heat of 90 degrees celsius for up to 90 seconds through a needle to stun small sensory nerve endings. It is typically used to treat facet joint, knee joint and sacroiliac joint pain.

2. Pulsed Radiofrequency creates heat to the nerves but at a lower temperature of 42 degrees Celsius for up to 150 seconds. This treatment provides pain relief without causing significant damage to nerve tissue.

 Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Radio frequency Neurotomy is a needle-based treatment used to treat pain originating from the posterior spine structures, such as the facet joints or sacroiliac joints.  Radiofrequency neurotomy can be performed on any part of the spine that causes you pain including;

• Lower back pain (lumbar facet joint pain)

• Middle back pain (thoracic facet joint pain)

• Neck pain (cervical facet joint pain)

• Sacroiliac joint pain (SI joint)

• Leg pain (lumbar sympathetic plexus)

• Abdominal pain (sympathetic ganglion)

• Pelvic pain (hypogastric plexus)

Pulsed Radiofrequency

This technique is not the same as that used for a radiofrequency ablation procedure. The word “pulsed” means this technique applies energy to the electrode intermittently. This keeps the temperature very low, unlike the higher temperatures required for an ablation. Pulsed radiofrequency can be used on any nerve that causes or generates your pain including;

• Facial pain

• Arm pain

• Chest pain

• Abdominal pain

• Hip pain

• Knee pain

• Neuromas

• Occipital headache

• Shoulder pain

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Pelvic pain