Those experiencing facet joint pain know how debilitating it can be. Even simple tasks are usually carried out with extreme pain. Perhaps you are currently in this situation.
We know how unnerving this condition can be. Fortunately, many have found long-term relief through a therapeutic procedure called radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained specialists at Cayman Neurology today to learn more about this procedure. We are conveniently located in the Cayman Islands and look forward to assisting you!
Specialties
Neurology
Pain Management
Diagnostic Tests
Therapeutic Procedures
Those experiencing facet joint pain know how debilitating it can be. Even simple tasks are usually carried out with extreme pain. Fortunately, many have found long-term relief through a therapeutic procedure called radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained specialists at Cayman Neurology today to learn more about this procedure. We are conveniently located in the Cayman Islands and look forward to assisting you!
Radiofrequency ablation, also known as RFA or radiofrequency neurotomy, is a procedure used to treat certain types of chronic pain. It uses controlled heat generated by radio waves to affect a small area of nerve tissue that is carrying pain signals.
If the facet joints are causing pain, the physician will use RFA to target the medial branch nerves near the affected joints. These small nerves are the ones that carry pain signals from the facet joints toward the brain. This treatment can be an effective way to relieve pain without removing the facet joint or operating on the spinal cord.
RFA is performed with imaging guidance. This allows the doctor to position the special needle close to the target nerve with care and precision.
The purpose of RFA is to reduce pain that originates from the nerves around the facet joints. It is especially useful to those who have continued pain despite other treatments.
The facet joints are small joints found between the bones of the spine. They help keep the spine stable while allowing it to bend and rotate. Over time, arthritis, normal wear and tear, previous injuries, or repeated stress can cause these joints to become painful.
Facet joint pain can occur in different parts of the spine. It can be the cause of chronic low back pain, neck pain, or pain around the sacroiliac joints.
As memtioned before, it is the medial branch nerves located near these joints that carry pain signals to the brain. RFA uses heat to create a small lesion in the targeted nerve tissue, making it harder for those nerves to transmit those signals.
Back or neck pain doesn’t always come from the facet joints. Your doctor will want to establish where your pain is coming from before considering radiofrequency ablation.
The doctor will first discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and look at previous imaging when appropriate.
One diagnostic tool that is used is a medial branch block. During this procedure, a small amount of local anesthetic is placed near the medial branch nerve. If the pain improves, it could suggest that this nerve is involved in your pain.
This information helps your healthcare provider decide whether an RFA procedure is likely to be useful.
RFA is not intended for every person with back or neck pain. It is generally considered when there is a reasonable indication that the facet joints are contributing to chronic pain and other treatments have not provided enough improvement.
You may be considered for radiofrequency ablation if you:
Your overall health and medical history will also be taken into account before treatment.
RFA is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. During the procedure, you will be positioned in a way that allows your doctor to reach the treatment area.
Before they insert the special needle, your skin will be cleaned and an anesthetic will be given to numb the area. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax.
The doctor then uses fluoroscopic guidance, a type of X-ray imaging, to guide a hollow needle toward the target nerve. Careful needle placement is important because the electrode needs to be positioned close to the specific nerve being treated.
Once the position has been checked, a radiofrequency current is passed through the electrode. This produces controlled heat and creates a small lesion in the nerve tissue.
Once the procedure is finished, the needle is removed and a small dressing may be placed over the injection site. The procedure itself generally does not take very long, although you will spend additional time at the facility for preparation and monitoring afterward.
After the RFA procedure, you will spend some time in a recovery area while your medical team makes sure you are doing well.
For a short time after the procedure, you may feel soreness, tenderness, or bruising in the treated area. This usually goes away after a few days. Some patients experience pain relief fairly soon after the treatment, while others need several weeks before they notice the full effects.
Your doctor will let you know when you can return to normal activities. Many people are able to get back to their usual routine relatively quickly, although this varies depending on the treatment area and individual circumstances.
The amount of time RFA provides relief varies from person to person. Over time, the nerve begins to heal and the pain signals return. This usually takes around 6 to 12 months; however, some experience pain relief for several years.
In some cases, RFA can be repeated. If the pain signals have returned, your doctor will evaluate the source of pain and decide whether the treatment is appropriate.
Reducing pain coming from the facet joints through RFA may make everyday activities easier.
Potential benefits of RFA for facet joint pain include the following:
Like any medical procedure, radiofrequency ablation has potential risks. Most people tolerate the procedure well, but complications can occur.
Possible risks include:
Serious complications are uncommon. Before treatment, your healthcare provider will review the potential risks with you and consider your medical history and medications.
Facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation are different procedures, even though both can be used to manage pain associated with the facet joints.
A facet joint injection places medication into or around the joint. Depending on the medication used, the injection may help reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief.
RFA works differently. Rather than injecting medication into the joint, it uses radiofrequency energy to create a small lesion in the targeted medial branch nerve. This interrupts the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals.
Medial branch blocks can serve another purpose. They may be used as diagnostic blocks to help determine whether a particular nerve is contributing to your pain before RFA is considered.
Living with chronic pain can affect nearly every part of your day. When neck or back pain makes it difficult to work, exercise, sleep, or enjoy your usual activities, finding a treatment that addresses the source of the pain can make a meaningful difference.
If you have persistent facet joint pain and other treatments have not given you the relief you need, radiofrequency ablation may be worth discussing with a specialist. Cayman Neurology provides evaluation and interventional pain management in the Cayman Islands, including assessment for procedures such as RFA.
Contact Cayman Neurology to arrange an appointment and discuss whether radiofrequency ablation is appropriate for your symptoms.
The RFA procedure is usually relatively short. However, you will need additional time for preparation and monitoring before and after the procedure. Your healthcare provider can give you a better estimate based on the area being treated.
Some people notice improvement soon after treatment, while others may need several weeks before experiencing the full effects. Temporary soreness or tenderness in the treated area is also possible during the first few days.
Yes. The treated nerve can gradually heal over time, allowing pain signals to return. This often happens around 6 to 12 months after treatment, although some people experience pain relief for several years.
Yes, RFA can sometimes be repeated if pain returns. Your doctor will first evaluate your symptoms and determine whether the facet joints and the same target nerve are still the likely source of your pain.
Both treatments are effective ways of managing pain. Facet joint injections deliver medication into or around the joint, while RFA uses heat to interrupt pain signals from the targeted nerve. Your doctor can recommend the approach that is most appropriate for the source and type of your pain.