Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation may be used in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. It can also be used in the sacroiliac joint and peripheral nerves, where the procedure is employed to reduce pain from the arthritic joints. Radiofrequency Ablation is a technique that employs heat to disable the pain-transmitting nerves in the spine.

The procedure is very safe and is only used on sensory nerves that transmit pain impulses. There is no risk of paralysis or weakness from this procedure. Radiofrequency Ablation uses heat to disable the pain-transmitting nerves in the spine. The process is analogous to microwave ovens that use microwave energy to heat food. Radiofrequency Energy is transmitted to the tip of a needle where it is converted to heat, which is applied directly to the nerve fibers. Once the nerves undergo this heat treatment, they slowly stop transmitting pain.