Did you know that around 65 million Americans have experienced a recent episode of lower back pain? Luckily, radiofrequency ablation for back pain is a solution.
Chronic back pain is often treated with radiofrequency ablation therapy. It is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that is extremely effective in treating people with chronic facet joint pain.
Are you interested in learning more about radiofrequency ablation for lower back pain? If so, keep on reading this article.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment in Maryland Work?
Radio waves produce heat near the nerves that supply the facet joints or media branch nerves during radiofrequency ablation (RFA). These nerves send pain signals to the spinal cord and, ultimately, the brain when a person has facet joint pain.
The heat produced during radiofrequency ablation, however, disarms these nerves so they can no longer send pain signals to the brain, providing long-lasting relief.
RFA permits a much higher level of activity for many patients while reducing their reliance on painkillers. Digital fluoroscopy gets used during the procedure, which is typically completed in under an hour. This makes the procedure safe and nearly painless.
What Happens During Radiofrequency Ablation for Lower Back Pain?
You will discuss how to get ready for this procedure with your RFA doctors in Maryland. On the day of your procedure, they might advise against eating or drinking anything after midnight. They will advise you on which medications to take or not take.
You will lie down on your stomach. The area of your back where the needle electrode will get inserted gets numbed with local anesthesia. To keep you calm, a sedative might get administered to you.
During the procedure, you might still feel some pressure or pushing, but you shouldn’t experience any pain. The needle electrode will be directed to the nerves close to your facet joint using fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray, according to your healthcare provider.
To ensure that the needle electrode is in the appropriate location, your healthcare provider may touch the affected nerve. When they do this, you may experience pressure or tingling. They will then numb the nerve by injecting local anesthesia into it.
When they apply heat to the nerve, you won’t experience any pain as a result of this. The needle electrode will then be used to apply heat to the nerve by your healthcare provider. They might need to heat up more than one nerve at once.
After removing the needle electrode, they will bandage the affected area.
Benefits of RFA Treatment in Maryland
Radiofrequency ablation is frequently used to treat pain in the spine, particularly in the neck and lower back, as well as pain coming from joints.
The spinal cord’s nerves leave the spine and travel to the facet joints and sacroiliac joints.
Facet joints are a pair of tiny joints that connect your spine’s vertebrae. Your spine is flexible thanks to these joints, which also let your back move and bend and twist. Your brain receives a signal that there is pain coming from the facet joints from two tiny nerves called medial branch nerves that are connected to the joints.
Your sacroiliac joints are located directly above your tailbone, close to the base of your spine. These joints’ lateral branch nerves transmit pain signals from the spine to the brain.
By targeting the medial branch nerve in the facet joints or the lateral branch nerve in the sacroiliac joints with radiofrequency ablation, pain signals are prevented from reaching your brain.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Sciatica
A herniated disk in the lumbar spine is the primary cause of the specific type of lower back pain known as sciatica.
Your spine is made up of bones that are separated and cushioned by flat and round disks. The soft center of these disks begins to push outwards as they deteriorate, or herniate.
The sciatic nerves, the longest in the body that originate in the lower back and extend all the way down to both of your feet, are under pressure as a result of this. Sciatica nerve pain can be managed using RFA along with facet joint injections.
Post-Procedure of Radiofrequency Ablation in Frederick, Maryland
The patient typically gets observed for a short while after the doctor has finished the procedure. After radiofrequency ablation, the majority of patients can move about without discomfort. Patients must still have a driver take them home.
Usually within 10 days of a radio frequency ablation, pain relief is felt (if not sooner). After their procedure, patients are advised to take it easy for a few days. It’s normal for a patient to experience very minor bruising or soreness.
Many patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation typically experience positive outcomes, though the time frame may vary. For a few months, some patients only get a little relief.
Some patients get months or years of pain relief from other patients. Depending on how each person reacts to the injection, different outcomes may result. However, even slight relief is a welcome break for someone suffering from chronic pain.
Get Radiofrequency Ablation for Back Pain
If you or someone you know is dealing with chronic lower back pain, it may be a good idea to consider getting radiofrequency ablation for lower back pain in Maryland. Now that you’re more aware of this type of pain therapy, you can make a more informed decision about your health.
Are you ready to take charge of your pain? Request an appointment with our top-rated pain management specialists by clicking the link. Ask if radiofrequency ablation for back pain is right for you!