Degenerative diseases, like arthritis in the spine, can cause chronic pain. When conservative treatments are no longer effective in controlling back or neck pain, there are other options available. One treatment that can be used to reduce pain caused by nerves irritated by spine disease is radiofrequency ablation, also called RFA or rhizotomy. We offer RFA at Hanowell Spine Clinic in Covington, GA, as a treatment option for our patients with chronic back or neck pain.
RFA uses heat energy that is targeted at affected nerves in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine. A probe delivers the heat through a needle, guided by x-ray imaging to the precise area. The heat can disable the nerves’ ability to send pain signals for a few months, even up to a year or more. To determine if RFA may be effective, a diagnostic nerve block can be administered. This can identify the nerves and establish if disabling the nerves minimized pain for the patient.
Rhizotomy for Back and Neck Pain
Facet syndrome, arthritis and other types of chronic neck and back pain may be minimized with rhizotomy. The procedure can be performed in-office and is minimally-invasive with a quick recovery. To perform the procedure, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic first before probes are inserted. Another anesthetic is delivered to the area through which the needle must pass before using the radiofrequency energy to heat the nerve tissue. The procedure usually takes less than half an hour after the preparation, with a short period of recovery before the patient can return home the same day.
RFA can reduce chronic back or neck pain for several months, offering relief without invasive surgery. If you are experiencing chronic neck or back pain, come see us at Hanowell Spine Clinic. We will identify the source of your pain and create a treatment plan that can offer relief, with minimally-invasive options like rhizotomy.