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Radiofrequency Ablation in Hyderabad

Radiofrequency Ablation

Introduction

  • A radiofrequency ablation in Hyderabad is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain.
  • It can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck and arthritic joints.
  • If you suffer recurrent pain and you’ve experienced good relief with a nerve block injection, you may be a candidate for a radiofrequency ablation.

Make an appointment with Dr. G. Ram Mohan at chronic pain management centers in Himayatnagar

What is radiofrequency ablation?

  • Radiofrequency ablation, also called rhizotomy, is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to reduce or stop the transmission of pain.
  • Radiofrequency ablation procedure at joint pain relief centers in Himayatnagar uses specialized equipment to target joint pain and nerve pain.
  • It is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide intermediate to long-term pain relief from various types of chronic pains.
  • Radiofrequency treatment involves a pain specialist carefully placing needles directly to nerves that are causing pain, and a heat is produced at the tip of the needle and to the nerves. This interrupts the nerves sending signals to the brain, which can provide long-lasting pain reduction (6 months to a few years).

What are the potential benefits of radiofrequency ablation?

The benefits of radiofrequency ablation include:

  • Avoiding surgery
  • Early pain relief
  • Little to no recovery time
  • Decreased need for pain medication
  • Improved function, and
  • A quicker return to work and other activities.

What are the types of radiofrequency techniques?

There are two types of radiofrequency treatment

  • Radiofrequency neurotomy creates heat to the nerves of 90°C to break down nerves (radiofrequency denervation). This treatment can provide lasting relief from 6 months to 2 years. It is typically used to treat pain from facet joints or sacroiliac joint pain.
  • Pulsed radiofrequency creates heat to the nerves but at a lower temperature of 42°C so as to not actually break them down. It is typically used for nerve pain and can provide long-lasting pain relief.

What pain conditions can be treated with RFA?

Radiofrequency neurotomy is performed on any part of the spine that causes you pain. This includes:

  • Lower back pain (lumbar facet joint pain)
  • Middle back pain (thoracic facet joint pain)
  • Neck pain (cervical facet joint pain)
  • Sacroiliac joint pain (SI joint pain)
  • Leg pain (lumbar sympathetic plexus)
  • Abdominal pain (sympathetic ganglion)
  • Pelvic pain (hypogastric plexus)

Radiofrequency neurotomy works better in some people for pain management than in others. This therapy can be repeated if needed.

Pulsed Radiofrequency

Pulsed radiofrequency can be performed on any nerve that causes or generates your pain. These include:

  • Facial pain (mandibular nerve, sphenopalantine ganglion, stellate ganglion, supraorbital nerve)
  • Arm pain (spinal nerve roots or the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), stellate ganglion)
  • Chest pain (intercostal nerves)
  • Abdominal pain (splanchnic nerves, coeliac plexus)
  • Hip pain (obturator and femoral nerves)
  • Knee pain (genicular nerves)
  • Leg pain (spinal nerve roots or the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), sympathetic ganglia)
  • Neuromas (benign growth of nerve tissue)
  • Occipital headache (greater and lesser occipital nerves)
  • Shoulder pain (suprascapular nerve)
  • Trigeminal neuralgia (mandibular nerve, sphenopalantine ganglion, supraorbital nerve)
  • Pelvic pain (pudendal nerves, ganglion Impar nerves)

What happens during treatment?

At the time of the radiofrequency ablation in Hyderabad, you will be asked to sign consent forms, list medications you are presently taking, and if you have any allergies to medication. The brief procedure may last 15-45 minutes, followed by a recovery period.

Step 1: prepare the patient

The patient lies on an x-ray table. Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. The patient experiences minimal discomfort throughout the procedure. The patient remains awake and aware during the procedure to provide feedback to the physician. A low dose sedative, such as Valium or Versed, is usually the only medication given for this procedure.

Step 2: insert the needle

The technique for nerve ablation is similar to that used for diagnostic blocks. With the aid of a fluoroscope (a special x-ray), the doctor directs a thin hollow needle into the region responsible for the pain. Fluoroscopy allows the doctor to watch the needle in real-time on the fluoroscope monitor to make sure that the needle goes to the desired location. Contrast may be injected to confirm correct needle location. Some discomfort occurs, but patients typically feel more pressure than pain.

Step 3: deliver heating current

Once the needle is in place, the patient receives a numbing medication. Then a radiofrequency current is passed through the hollow needle to create a small and precise burn, called a lesion, about the size of a cotton swab tip (Fig 1). The current destroys the portion of the nerve that transmits pain and disrupts the pain-producing signal. The burn takes approximately 90 seconds for each site, and multiple nerves can be burned at the same time.

What happens after treatment?

  • Most patients can walk around immediately after the procedure. After being monitored for a short time, you can usually leave the office or suite. Someone must drive you home.
  • Patients may experience pain from the procedure for up to 14 days, but this is generally due to the residual effects of the nerve ablation or muscle spasm.
  • Patients are often up and around and back to work 24 to 72 hours after the procedure.
  • Pain relief is typically experienced within 10 days, although relief may be immediate for some patients and take up to three weeks for others.
  • Patients should schedule a follow-up appointment with the referring or treating physician after the procedure to document the efficacy and address any concerns the patient may have for future treatments and expectations.

What are the results with RFA?

  • Pain relief may last from 9 months to more than 2 years.
  • It is possible the nerve will re-grow through the burned lesion that was created by radiofrequency ablation.
  • If the nerve re-grows, it is usually 6-12 months after the procedure.
  • Radiofrequency ablation is 70-80% effective in people who have successful nerve blocks. The procedure can be repeated if needed.

What are the risks of RFA?

  • Radiofrequency nerve ablation is relatively safe procedure with minimal risk of complications.
  • The more frequent side effects include:
    • Temporary increase in nerve pain
    • Localized numbness
    • Infection
    • Allergic reaction to medications used during the procedure, and/or lack of pain relief (in less than 30% of patients).

We offer Radiofrequency treatment for people who lives in and around Himayat Nagar, Ashok nagar, Somajiguda, Khairatabad and Hyderabad.