Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure used to relieve pain of the back, neck, muscle, and other syndromes. Radiofrequency ablations use heat to interrupt the perception of pain travelling to the brain. This is an outpatient procedure performed with local anesthetics to numb the skin around the injection site. A needle is used and guided by a fluoroscopic X-ray to the location. Sensory and motor stimulation are used to determine the correct positioning of the needle before local anesthetic or steroid medication is injected.

There are two types of radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency thermo-coagulation involves the electrode at the end of the needle being heated to between 50-80 degrees for a few minutes destroying the painful nerve fibers and decreasing pain. Pulsed radiofrequency technique uses a lower heat level to stun the nerve instead of terminating it.