Are you dealing with chronic nerve pain, which isn’t getting better even after multiple treatments? If yes, then you must learn about Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations. Chronic nerve pain can severely impact your quality of life, making even simple movements unbearable. However, the problem is that even when multiple conservative methods are available, none of them need to work for you.
While it’s rare that chronic pain doesn’t get any better with medication, NSAIDs, etc., it can occur in rare cases. In such cases, percutaneous rhizotomy, also known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure designed to provide lasting relief from nerve pain by interrupting pain signals at their source.
At Axis Clinics, our specialists use advanced techniques when the patient shows no recovery in back pain or other pain after multiple treatments. This treatment becomes essential in many cases where the pain is unbearable and doesn’t fade away with any other treatment.
Percutaneous rhizotomy is a minimally invasive procedure where a targeted nerve is treated with controlled radiofrequency energy to interrupt pain signals travelling the brain. The nerve that is targeted is ablated in a controlled manner, resulting in the stopping of painful signal transfers.
This technique is commonly used to treat chronic pain conditions that have not responded to conservative therapies. Moreover, being percutaneous means the intervention is done just below the skin, making it almost non-invasive.
It can be used for multiple conditions that cause pain if the reason behind the pain is related to nerves. Here are the conditions that can be treated with percutaneous rhizotomy/radiofrequency ablations.
Facet joint pain is one of the most common causes of neck and back pain, and it occurs due to injury or arthritis. If other treatments fail, it can be treated with Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations.
The joint between the lower back and pelvis is responsible for the weight transmission to lower limbs while moving. Due to inflammation or injury, pain can occur, which can be treated with Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations if not manageable by conservative measures.
Since the nerves are also present in the face, facial pain can be caused by nerve irritation or compression. Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations treated it by damaging the nerves and causing pain.
Pain in the back and neck can also be treated with Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations if it isn’t fading with other treatments.
As we all know, pain is perceived through nerves, which are the electrical wiring of our body, and we take those perceptions to the brain. Likewise, if a specific nerve taking pain signals from a pathological area is disconnected, the brain stops perceiving that pain. This theory is the base of Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency ablation, where a specific nerve expected to carry the pain signals is precisely disrupted using a Radiofrequency current through a needle placed adjacent to the nerve under image guidance.
With Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations, the doctor can provide you with targeted relief, which may not be possible with other treatment options.
The conditions treated with Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations often require constant medicine. But after Percutaneous Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablations, the dependency on medicine ends.
Being minimally invasive, the recovery takes very little time. Most patients return to daily activities within a few days.
Firstly, our pain specialists evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and imaging results to determine if RFA is the proper treatment for you. The treatment is chosen when we see no positive response to the treatments used.
Now, on the day of the procedure, the patient is given regional anesthesia to avoid any pain and discomfort. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, typically taking less than an hour Using real-time x-ray-based imaging, also known as fluoroscopy, a thin needle is carefully inserted near the targeted nerve. It is placed near the affected nerve and is stimulated to confirm the painful area. Once the patient confirms concordant pain upon stimulation of the targeted nerve, the radio frequencies are sent, leading to the targeted nerve’s ablation. As the nerve gets ablated, the pain signals sent to the brain from the painful area stop. As the radiofrequency treatment is done, the needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied to the site. The needle is then inserted and placed near the affected nerve. After that, the radio frequencies are sent to disrupt the nerves.
You can expect to return home the same day. Follow-up appointments help monitor your recovery and ensure optimal pain relief.
Percutaneous rhizotomy, or radiofrequency ablation, is a revolutionary treatment for chronic nerve pain, offering a minimally invasive and effective solution. At Axis Clinics, our dedicated team ensures you receive the best care tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more or schedule your consultation.
Pain relief typically lasts 6 months to 2 years, depending on the individual and the condition treated.
Most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure, thanks to local anesthesia and sedation if needed.
Risks are minimal but can include temporary soreness or numbness at the treatment site.
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