Radiofrequency Lesioning

In essence, the underlying condition generating the pain still exists and does indeed attempt to signal the body's distress. However, since the nerves used for sensory communication have been treated, these pain messages never reach their intended target and do not register.

Common names for this type of operation include temporary neurotomy, nerve ablation or deneration. This procedure can be used to effectively treat many kinds of specific and non-specific back pain in which the troublesome nerve fibers can be definitively identified.

Radiofrequency Lesioning Procedure

A thin needle is inserted into the back and viewed under live x-ray (fluoroscopy). Once the needle is in the correct position close to the symptomatic nerve tissues, electrical current is supplied, stopping the nerve from signaling altogether. If all goes well, the small incision will be closed and the patient will be free to go home shortly after surgery.

The procedure is a good less invasive approach to traditional back surgery and can be completed in less than 1 hour. No formal rehabilitation therapy is typically needed, although physical therapy may prove useful in returning patients to an active lifestyle if they have been restricted due to pain for a long time.

Radiofrequency Lesioning Facts

Subsequent rounds of treatment can be used, even over extended timelines. However, patients often enjoy progressively shorter durations of pain relief from follow-up procedures. However, if multiple RFL sessions do provide good symptomatic management, more drastic and permanent methods of cutting or burning the affected nerves may be considered.

Expectations for Radiofrequency Lesioning

Additionally, if a vascular or other normal neurological structure is too close, there may be unforeseen damage done to the anatomy. Most of these instances are minor and temporary, but sometimes, permanent nerve damage or other health concern may be a permanent complication of the procedure.

If everything works out right, the pain will be relieved or significantly reduced. Unfortunately, this is a surgical treatment and not a CURE. The benefits are temporary and the procedure must be repeated many times to enact enduring back pain relief.

If you are working towards a CURE and simply need symptomatic treatment in the short term, then I believe that this might be an excellent procedure to investigate. The risk is low and the results can be excellent. Just remember, it is basically a surgical aspirin and the effect will simply not last.

At least if the patient decides to pursue some other type of more invasive surgery or conservative care practice, such as spinal decompression, in the future, the RFL technique will not exclude them from these paths of care. This is a distinct advantage over some other operations which may contraindicate patients from some other potentially valuable treatment practices.