If chronic back, neck, or knee pain diminishes your mobility and quality of life, a minimally invasive option can offer you long-lasting relief: radiofrequency ablation. At Restore Health in Spokane and Richland, Washington, the pain management specialists provide radiofrequency ablation to block pain signals and optimize your comfort. Schedule an appointment with Restore Health by phone or online to get started today.
Radiofrequency Ablation FAQ’s
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive pain-relieving procedure in which radiofrequency energy heats nerve tissue and disrupts pain signals to your brain. It’s often an effective pain management solution if you suffer from chronic:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Knee pain
- Other joint pain
To find out if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation at Restore Health, your pain management specialist discusses your symptoms and medical history. They examine painful areas of your body and might recommend you undergo a blood test, nerve test, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasound to find the root cause of chronic pain.
To prepare for a radiofrequency ablation procedure, your provider may ask you to stop taking certain medications several days before your scheduled appointment. Wear comfortable clothes and make plans to have a friend or family member drive you home after treatment.
Before radiofrequency ablation, you lie down on a comfortable table. Your pain management specialist applies a local anesthetic to the treatment area to numb it. You can receive a low-dose sedative to relax you during the procedure.
Using fluoroscopic assistance, your provider inserts a needle into targeted areas to pass radiofrequency currents through nerves. Doing so heats the nerves and disrupts pain signals to your brain. Radiofrequency ablation procedures might last about 15-45 minutes, followed by a period of recovery.
After you relax in a recovery area for a short time, someone can drive you home. Expect to resume normal everyday activities about 24-72 hours after radiofrequency ablation. You might experience pain relief associated with the procedure about 10 days later, but sometimes relief is immediate.
Attend follow-up appointments with your pain specialist as directed, or if your discomfort doesn’t subside after about three weeks. Pain relief associated with radiofrequency ablation can last nine months to more than two years. Your pain management provider can repeat the procedure as needed to help you achieve long-lasting comfort.
Don’t live with chronic neck, back, or knee pain when effective pain relief solutions are within reach at Restore Health. Schedule an appointment by phone or online to determine if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation.