Radiofrequency Ablation

A minimally invasive procedure to relieve chronic back pain

Chronic back pain often is transmitted to the brain by nerves in the spine’s facet or sacroiliac joints. The facet joints are located in pairs in the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle), and lumbar (low back) regions of the spine, while the sacroiliac joint is in the low back and connects the base of the spine to the hip. In a radiofrequency ablation, we use electrical currents produced by a radio wave to heat up nerve tissues in these joints, which decreases the pain signals they can transmit.

There is a small risk of complications from a radiofrequency ablation. Possible complications include:

• Infection
• Neuritis, an inflammation of the affected nerve or nerves
• Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site

Pain Management Service, Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center
159 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: 617-243-6142

What to Expect From Your Radiofrequency Ablation

When you arrive for your procedure, one of our nurses will speak with you about what your chronic back pain is like and how you manage daily activities. We’ll record the following vital health information:

• Allergies
• Blood pressure
• Brief health history
• Medications you’re currently taking
• Pulse
• Temperature
• Weight

It’s especially important to tell your nurse if you:

• Are allergic to contrast dye, Betadine (iodine), or latex
• Currently take blood thinners
• Have diabetes or could be pregnant

Next, you’ll discuss the procedure with your doctor and go into the X-ray room, where we’ll help you onto a table. Once you’re comfortable, we’ll clean your skin with an antiseptic and numb it with a local anesthetic. Next, your doctor will use X-ray guidance to place a small needle into your joint. We may use a small amount of contrast dye to make sure the needle is in the correct location.

Once the needle is in place, we insert an electrode through the needle, and then we pass an electrical current through the electrode to test whether we can reproduce your pain without causing other symptoms in your arms or legs. This helps us ensure we have located the problem area. When we have accurately reproduced your pain, we then pass another current through the electrode to heat the nerve tissue and reduce the pain signals it can transmit. The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

You should plan to stay with us for 20 to 30 minutes after your radiofrequency ablation. During this time, a nurse will go over any questions you may have and review your discharge instructions and required follow-up care. Depending on the medication you receive before the procedure, you may need someone to drive you home afterward.

When You Go Home After Your Radiofrequency Ablation

After you return home from your procedure, try to rest and avoid activities that might aggravate your pain. You likely can return to work the next day and return to exercise the day after that, but stop exercising if you notice any pain or discomfort.

Some patients notice muscular pain for a few days after a radiofrequency ablation. Place ice on your injection site and take over-the-counter pain medications to ease any pain.

Your care team may ask you to make an appointment for three to five weeks after your radiofrequency ablation. This lets us check your progress. Your doctor may recommend a physical therapy program for you to help strengthen your spine muscles.

You should notice an improvement in your back pain within a few weeks after your procedure. This pain relief should last between three months to a year or more. Eventually, the treated nerves will heal, and you may need another radiofrequency ablation to relieve your pain.

Talk to your doctor for more information about receiving a referral for a radiofrequency ablation, or call us at 617-243-6142 to request an appointment.