Treating Your Back Pain With Radiofrequency Ablation

Back pain is an extremely common problem. Fortunately, that means medical researchers continually explore new treatment options. What used to be considered untreatable pain can now be effectively managed with the options available today.

Here at Vascular & Interventional Associates, our providers offer convenient access to leading-edge back pain treatments to our patients throughout northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. That includes radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which deactivates the nerves responsible for your discomfort. 

If you’re living with chronic back pain, RFA might be for you. Let’s take a closer look.

How radiofrequency ablation works

In order for you to feel pain in your back (or any other part of your body), nerve fibers have to carry pain signals to your brain where they can be processed. RFA, also called radiofrequency neurotomy, offers a way to disrupt that process. 

By carefully applying radiofrequency energy to a small, targeted area, your Vascular & Interventional Associates provider can heat the nerve tissue responsible for sending your back pain signals. This essentially powers down the nerve, giving you relief from your discomfort because your brain doesn’t receive the pain signal.

Some people experience alleviated pain for six months with RFA, while others see results that last for years. 

Because RFA interferes with the pain signals themselves, it’s extremely effective for a wide range of problems that cause back pain, from arthritis to traumatic injuries from car accidents. If you’re living with back pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, don’t hesitate to ask our team if radiofrequency ablation could be right for you.

What to expect with RFA

RFA isn’t just exciting because it’s effective. It’s also minimally invasive and comes with a very low risk of complications. Plus, it entails minimal downtime. You can return to your normal activities the day after your RFA appointment.

When you choose this treatment, you lie on your stomach and we apply a localized anesthetic to the treatment area. Once you’re numb, we insert a thin hollow needle into the problem area.

This allows us to apply the radiofrequency energy, heating the nerve sufficiently to minimize sensation. You might feel tingling as the ablation goes to work. 

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure, so you can return home the same day. You might feel some soreness where the RFA was applied, but most people can successfully manage any discomfort with ice packs. 

Don’t do anything strenuous for 24 hours after the procedure. After that point, you can get back to your usual routine, most likely accompanied by reduced back pain. 

You don’t have to live with chronic back pain. To find out if radiofrequency ablation could be right for you, call our office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, or request an appointment online today.