Procedure
Radiofrequency Ablation
Patients with facet joint pain who do not respond to conservative treatment or whose pain does not improve may be helped by radiofrequency ablation. This minimally invasive procedure applies heat to certain nerve pathways to "shut off" the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Multiple clinical studies show that radiofrequency ablation significantly reduces pain severity and frequency for 1 to 2 years in the majority of patients.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Radiofrequency ablation completes the continuum of care for back pain sufferers who want a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.[3]
Benefits of radiofrequency ablation include:
- Pain relief for up to 2 years[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
- Significant and longer lasting pain relief compared to steroid injections[13]
- Low complication and morbidity rates[9][12][13][14][15]
- Appreciable pain relief compared to surgery: Nearly half of back pain sufferers are not helped by surgery[16]
- Greater range of motion[9][12][15]
- Lower use of analgesics[9][12]
- Improved quality of life[9]
- Short recovery time
Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure Animation
Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure Walkthrough
Radiofrequency lesioning of the lumbar facet using the medial branch approach is the preferred treatment for providing long-lasting relief of lumbar facet joint pain.[17]
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