Who Is a Good Candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that offers lasting relief of chronic back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Though the procedure isn’t appropriate for everyone, those who qualify can achieve a level of pain relief they can’t find with medications.

New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine specializes in radiofrequency nerve ablation procedures for adults.

Our highly skilled pain management specialist Jose De La Torre, MD, uses radiofrequency ablation to treat the root cause of pain, so you maintain your mobility and independence.

The basics of radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation uses the heat of radio waves to destroy nerves damaged by trauma or disease. Once destroyed, the treated nerve can no longer send pain signals to the brain.

Treatment involves the insertion of a hollow needle that contains an electrode. The electrode delivers the radio waves to the targeted nerve, causing a lesion to form. Because of Dr. De La Torre’s precision during the procedure, the nerves surrounding the treatment area remain healthy.

We offer radiofrequency ablation as a treatment option for several types of chronic pain conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Peripheral nerve pain
• Sacroiliac joint pain

Pain relief typically lasts 6-12 months. In some cases, radiofrequency ablation can effectively control pain for several years.

Qualifying for radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation isn’t usually the first line of treatment for chronic pain. Dr. De La Torre may initially recommend physical therapy, medications, or injections before suggesting ablation.

There is also a diagnostic procedure that needs to be done before you qualify for radiofrequency ablation. Dr. De La Torre injects an anesthetic into your nerves (nerve block) to identify which nerves are dysfunctional and confirm that treatment relieves pain. If the nerve block is successful, ablation may be an option.

Qualifying for radiofrequency requires that you’re in otherwise good health, are free of infections, and don’t have a bleeding disorder.  Dr. De La Torre completes a physical exam and reviews your medical history to ensure ablation is appropriate for you.

Recovering from radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is an outpatient procedure, so you can expect to go home after a brief period of recovery. Someone will need to drive you home, and you will need to limit your activities for the first 24 hours.

Within a day or two, you can return to your usual routine. You may experience mild discomfort at the injection site for a few days. You can manage muscle spasms and soreness with rest, over-the-counter medicines, and an ice pack.

Many people find a noticeable reduction in their pain right away, but you may continue to have pain for one to two weeks after radiofrequency ablation. Ultimately, your pain levels should continue to decline in the weeks after your treatment, and Dr. De La Torre will monitor your post-ablation progress during follow-up visits.

If pain returns, we can discuss your options for repeating radiofrequency ablation or moving forward with a different treatment.

Call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to find out if you qualify for radiofrequency ablation. You can also book a consultation online.