Radiofrequency Neuroablation

Radiofrequency Neuroablation patients confirms the viability of this modality where conservative, traditional treatments for chronic low back pain have failed.

Etiology of Low Back Pain

Typically back pain may be precipitated by any of the following seven pain generators:

• Skin (e.g., shingles)
• Pathology of muscle and soft tissue with the possibility of myofacial pains, muscle ligament pains with strains
• Posterior complex pain emanating from the facet joint arthropatheis or spondylolisthesis with pars defects
• Medial complex or neuro origin pain from radiculopathy caused by either foraminal narrowing or neural encroachment from the herniated disc with radiculitis or a chemical radiculitis caused by a leakage of the nucleus pulposous
• Annulus tear and anterior complex pain emanating from possible degenerative or internally deranged disc disease
• Sacroiliac joint disease
• Back pain not specifically involving the spine may be related to some retro peritoneal masses or aortic aneurysm or sometimes renal mass or renal problems, thus intra-abdominal pathology needs to be ruled out

Radiofrequency Lesioning

Radiofrequency neuroablation, or lesioning, has recently been used successfully as a treatment for chronic, refractory neck pain from whiplash injury, a condition in which recent scientific research has identified spinal facet joints as commonly responsible for persistent pain. Facet joints may also be the source for pain in certain types of cervicogenic headache and in non-radicular low back pain. Facet pain can be identified by its characteristic pattern of radiation, and the diagnosis is confirmed when pain is relieved transiently with precise fluoroscopic nerve block of the facet joint nerves. Radiofrequency denervation is gaining acceptance as an effective treatment option with minimal risk and low morbidity when more conservative approaches fail to relieve symptomatic relief. It is also successfully used for neuro-ablation of the ganglia in sympathetically maintained pain syndromes.

Will it give permanent pain relief?

Although it does not give permanent relief but it gives pain relief for a long duration.

What are the post procedure recommendations?

Patients should be in regular follow up and proper exercises as prescribed have to be done along with the medications prescribed. Sometimes the numbness may persist after the procedure as sometimes the nerves will take more time to stop the transmission which will be a temporary phenomenon. Little redness and swelling of the area can be seen which will subside in short time.