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RFA: A Powerful Tool for Managing Pain
Are you struggling with persistent back or neck pain–but other treatments simply don’t seem to work? Radiofrequency facet joint ablation (RFA) at Hands of Hope may offer the relief you deserve. This technique uses radio waves to destroy tiny spots of nerve tissue in your facet joints, small bones that connect the vertebrae in your spine. Destroying that nerve tissue prevents it from sending pain signals to your brain.
RFA is a powerful choice for those suffering from chronic spine pain. Schedule an appointment at our Astoria, Atlantic Ave, Bard Ave, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Forest Hills, Manhattan, Morris Park Avenue, Mott Haven, South Bronx, Queens Village, Staten Island, Whitestone, Williamsburg or Woodhaven, NY clinic to see if it can help you.
Conditions that Benefit from Radiofrequency Facet Joint Ablation
RFA can benefit anyone dealing with persistent pain that stems from their facet joints. Some of the conditions that impact the facet joints include the following:
- Osteoarthritis: Sometimes called spondylosis, spinal osteoarthritis occurs when the tissue in the joint degenerates, leading to pain, inflammation, and limited mobility.
- Mechanical Injuries: Injuries to your spine (like a back sprain) can impact your facet joints, leading to pain and restricted mobility.
- Facet Joint Syndrome: This term refers to pain and inflammation in the facet joints that develop due to degenerative changes brought on by arthritis, injury, or aging.
- Chronic Back or Neck Pain: Chronic pain is any pain that lasts longer than three months. It’s a complex condition that doesn’t always respond to standard pain management treatments.
- Whiplash Injuries: When your neck whips back and forth rapidly (such as in a car accident), it can affect your cervical spine, including the facet joints, leading to pain and a restricted range of motion.
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): If you’ve undergone back surgery and are still experiencing pain long after the time you have fully rehabilitated, it could be failed back surgery syndrome. FBSS can cause pain and also interfere with your day-to-day life.
What To Expect During a Radiofrequency Facet Joint Ablation
We’ll begin by numbing the area where you feel pain, then inserting a long, thin needle, which we’ll guide into place using an X-ray to ensure proper placement. Once we’ve confirmed the proper positioning, we’ll inject a local anesthetic into the target area.
Next, we’ll begin the ablation itself, which involves seeding a radiofrequency current through the needle to destroy the targeted nerve. The process typically takes between 15 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how many nerves we treat.
While you can go home the same day, you’ll need someone to drive you, and you’ll want to spend the next 24 hours resting, after which you can return to normal activities. Our physicians will give you more personalized guidance.
An RFA offers longer-term relief than other pain management options, ranging from several months to a year. It’s also important to remember that an RFA doesn’t resolve the underlying issue, but with less pain, you can pursue treatments such as physical therapy, if appropriate.If you’re looking for long-term relief from spine pain, call Hands of Hope to learn more about your options!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Plan of Care
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!