Radiofrequency Neurotomy: Cervical & Thoracic Facet, Lumbar

What is Radiofrequency Neurotomy?

Radiofrequency neurotomy, also referred to as radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces facet or sacroiliac joint pain. 

This procedure may be performed if patients do not experience pain relief from a nerve or facet joint block.

What Types of Pain Does Radiofrequency Neurotomy Treat?

Chronic back pain coming from facet or sacroiliac joints.

Facet or sacroiliac joint conditions that cause chronic pain include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Spinal trauma

What are facet joints?

Facet joints are located in between vertebrae and are responsible for bending and twisting the spine. 

These joints are surrounded by medial branch nerves, which carry pain signals from the spine to the brain. 

Over time, facet joints may become worn down from aging, or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. 

What are sacroiliac joints?

Sacroiliac joints are particularly vertebrae at the bottom of your spine, just above your tailbone.

How Does Radiofrequency Neurotomy Work?

During radiofrequency neurotomy, small electrical currents are passed through a needle toward nerves surrounding facet or sacroiliac joint(s) causing pain. A heat lesion is then created by these electrical currents (radiofrequency waves) and applied to the affected nerves. This heat lesion effectively halts the nerve’s ability to transport pain signals from the area causing pain to the patient’s brain.

What Causes Chronic Back Pain?

Normally when you have spinal issues, your symptom will likely only be back pain. It could be caused by a muscle strain or other muscular problems, but there’s a wide range of potential causes, including:

• Ligament strain
• Herniated or ruptured discs
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Skeletal structure problems, including bone fractures or bone spurs
• Osteoporosis

What Symptoms of Back Pain Should I Watch Out For?

Acute back pain typically lasts up to three months, whereas chronic pain lasts at least three months or longer. Report all your symptoms to your doctor, especially any of the following common acute or chronic back pain symptoms:

• Aching muscles
• Shooting, stabbing, or dull pain
• Pain radiating toward the neck or down the legs
• Decreased range of motion and flexibility
• Pain reduction with rest or minimal movement

Other Conservative Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

Studies show that physical therapy does well to reduce pain in the short term, and beginning physical therapy early can help prevent later episodes of chronic back pain.

Additional procedures typically performed to treat chronic back pain include:

• Epidural Steroid Injections
  • For short-term pain relief (typically 3-4 months), steroid injections can be used to treat neck and back pain and can be combined with physical therapy and exercise for maximum benefit.

• Spinal Cord Stimulation
  • If other therapies aren’t effective for treating your pain, an implantable pain management device can be an option. These devices administer mild electrical pulses to block the transmission of pain.