The procedure is similar to a fine needle biopsy and involves inserting a needle-like probe into the body. Radiofrequency waves are sent out from the probe into the surrounding tissue, which causes the nearby cells to die.
As these cells die, the immune system removes them, which causes an internal reaction and generally results in shrinkage of the nodule.
To place the tip of the probe in the correct location, the health-care provider uses ultrasound or other imaging technique.
Radiofrequency ablation can take place in an office or outpatient setting and requires no general anesthesia. You may get medicine to help you relax for the procedure, as well as local anesthesia in the form of a lidocaine byproduct for the area of the skin where the probe is inserted.
Most people undergoing radiofrequency ablation can go home the same day as their treatment and can return to their normal activities within 24 hours.
Why is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) done?
The goals of radiofrequency ablation are to:
- Stop or reduce pain.
- Improve function.
- Reduce the number of pain medications taken.
- Avoid or delay surgery.
Pain management within your spine
Radiofrequency ablation is often used to manage pain originating from joints (such as your knee) and oftentimes related to pain from your spine, especially your neck and lower back (lumbar area of your spine).
Within your spine, nerves branch off from your spinal cord and travel to the facet joints and sacroiliac joints.
Facet joints are pairs of small joints between the vertebrae in your spine. These joints give your spine flexibility and allow movement of your back, such as twisting and bending. Two small nerves, called medial branch nerves, are connected to the facet joints and send a signal to your brain that there is pain coming from these joints.
Sacroiliac joints are found near the bottom of your spine, right above your tailbone. Lateral branch nerves that are connected to these joints send pain signals from the spine to your brain.
Using radiofrequency ablation to treat the targeted medial branch nerve in the facet joints or the lateral branch nerve in the sacroiliac joints decreases pain signals from reaching your brain.
