Top Benefits of Managing Pain with Radiofrequency Ablation
No matter how minor, pain in any part of the body can be uncomfortable and can prevent people from going about their daily business. Persistent and throbbing pains like arthritis or neck and back pain often require long-term pain management treatments.
Advanced Sports & Spine provides a range of pain management treatments in Charlotte, NC, to treat and relieve mild and severe symptoms. When treating long-term pain issues, particularly those involving the neck, lower back, and arthritic joints, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently considered.
Radiofrequency ablation is one way our physiatrist in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Ahmad, can help relieve neck and back pain. Read on to learn how RFA treatment works and whether you are a suitable candidate for this type of pain management.
Understanding Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation, also known as radiofrequency neurotomy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radio waves to treat a variety of ailments, including venous insufficiency, persistent neck and back pain, and tumors, both benign and malignant.
The radio waves produced during radiofrequency ablation generate heat, which momentarily disconnects the affected area’s nerve supply, stopping pain signals from reaching your brain. Dr. Ahmad uses radiofrequency ablation treatment in Charlotte, North Carolina, to treat patients with arthritic joints, lower back pain, and chronic neck pain.
Why We Offer Radiofrequency Ablation for Pain Management in Charlotte, NC
Our goal at Advanced Sports & Spine is to give long-lasting relief to those experiencing discomfort or pain. We provide radiofrequency ablation to help:
- Boost function and performance
- Reduce or end discomfort
- Put off or forego surgery
- Reduce the total amount of painkillers consumed
Who Needs Radiofrequency Ablation?
Not everyone is a good fit for radiofrequency ablation. Thus, to find the finest pain management treatment, you need to discuss your condition with your doctor. Our physiatrist in Charlotte, NC, provides a spectrum of pain management procedures for the treatment of various pain conditions. However, we use RFA for people who are going through:
- Persistent pain that is unresponsive to other forms of care
- Pain relief following a nerve block injection
Nonetheless, radiofrequency ablation might not be the best pain relief option for you if you have an infection, a bleeding issue, or if you are pregnant.
Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation
One of the primary benefits of RFA is that it effectively relieves pain in approximately 70% of patients! Although. You will begin to feel your pain alleviating almost immediately after the treatment is administered, but the full effects of RFA take one to three weeks to manifest.
The nicest thing about RFA is that it effectively relieves pain while providing other advantages, such as:
- Preventing surgery
- Rapid alleviation of pain
- Minimal to zero recovery period
- Decreased dependency on analgesics
- Increased function and mobility
- Lasting pain relief
Pain relief through radiofrequency ablation usually lasts between six months and a year, depending on the circumstances of the patient. Some patients may not experience the pain again.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
Research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for persistent back and neck discomfort. It entails heating the afflicted nerves with a tiny needle. This will prevent pain signals from that particular neuron from reaching the brain.
Using imaging to guide the needle to the appropriate nerve, Dr. Ahmad, our pain management physician in Charlotte, will insert the needle through the skin. Here are a few things to expect before, during, and after the treatment:
How to Prepare for a Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
The doctor will first ask you about your discomfort, past health, and prescription history. After that, an X-ray will be taken to assess the severity of your injuries and rule out any additional causes of your pain.
Our Charlotte physiatrist will also conduct a diagnostic block test to evaluate your pain level and determine whether the treatment can significantly relieve your pain. To relieve chronic pain, an RFA treatment will be taken into consideration, if the nerve block proves to be successful.
What Happens During a Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
Prior to the treatment, Dr. Ahmad will numb the area of your skin where the needle will be inserted. After that, a thin needle will be injected into the pained area. Once the precise position has been determined, the area is numbed by injecting local anesthetic through the needle.
Subsequently, the targeted nerve is heated by passing a radiofrequency current via the needle. Your brain won’t get any pain signals from the nerve because of the heat. Depending on the amount of treatments performed and the location of the treatments, this operation could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours to finish.
Recovery and Aftercare for a Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
Soon after the surgery is over, you’ll be able to return home. But someone has to drive you, either an acquaintance or a member of your family. It would be beneficial if you avoid strenuous activities for a full day following the treatment. We advise getting sufficient rest.
After resting for a day or two, you can resume your regular activities, including taking baths. For a few days following the procedure, you might still have pain, soreness, or muscle spasms in the treated area; applying ice can usually help with this.
Manage Pains with Radiofrequency Ablation in Charlotte, NC
Avoid letting neck or lower back pain stop you from leading a comfortable, fulfilling life and engaging in your favorite activities. We offer radiofrequency ablation treatment in Charlotte, NC, to provide you with long-lasting pain relief because we understand how difficult and uncomfortable it can be to live with chronic pain.
Your lower back and neck discomfort can be successfully treated by our physiatrist in Charlotte, allowing you to go six months or a year without needing to see a doctor for pain management. Make an appointment with us today, and together, let’s work toward restoring your health.