RFA Rhizotomy Treatment Specialist in Greenacres, FL, and Port St. Lucie, FL
RFA Rhizotomy’s, offered by Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches, are a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency waves to target and disable nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain. This technique is particularly effective in treating chronic back, neck, and joint pain, providing long-lasting relief. It is often recommended for patients who have not found relief through more conservative pain management methods. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. Our clinics are conveniently located in Greenacres, FL, and Port St. Lucie, FL.
Table of Contents:
What is an RFA rhizotomy treatment?
How does an RFA rhizotomy treatment work?
Who is a candidate for RFA rhizotomy treatments?
What can I expect before, during, and after an RFA rhizotomy treatment?
At Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches, we provide the most advanced and effective treatments for chronic pain, including RFA Rhizotomy treatment. Also known as Radiofrequency (RFA) rhizotomy, this minimally invasive procedure can help alleviate chronic nerve pain that has not responded to traditional treatments such as medications or physical therapy.
Our highly experienced medical team performs RFA rhizotomy’s under X-ray or fluoroscopic guidance. A small needle is placed into the location, ensuring precision throughout the treatment. After administering local anesthesia for comfort, the needle is carefully heated using radiofrequency energy to create a small lesion. This heat effectively reduces the targeted nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals to the brain, thus relieving discomfort.
We perform RFA rhizotomy’s as an outpatient procedure, allowing our patients to return home the same day. The procedure typically takes between 30 to 90 minutes and can provide long-term pain relief for various conditions such as Trigeminal neuralgia, Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, Occipital neuralgia, Cervical or lumbar facet joint pain, Discogenic pain, and Genicular nerve pain.
Our patients often experience significant pain reduction for 6 to 12 months following the procedure, and in some cases, the relief can last even longer. An RF rhizotomy can be repeated over time if pain recurs, providing a valuable alternative to more invasive surgeries.
An RFA rhizotomy is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that offers relief from chronic pain by disrupting pain signals transmitted to the brain by problematic nerves. It uses radiofrequency waves to create heat, forming a small lesion on the nerve tissue to stop pain signals.
Our practice performs the procedure on an outpatient basis, with the patient lying face down on a table. After numbing the targeted area with a local anesthetic, our highly skilled doctors use fluoroscopic guidance, a type of medical imaging, to precisely insert a thin needle towards the problematic nerves, often located near the spinal cord or within the facet joint.
A microelectrode is then put into the needle, and a modest radiofrequency current flows through it. The resulting heat creates a small lesion on the nerve tissue, disrupting the nerve’s ability to conduct pain signals to the brain.
The entire RFA rhizotomy procedure typically lasts less than an hour. After that, the needle and electrode are removed, and a tiny bandage is placed over the puncture site. We observe the patient for a brief period before discharge to ensure their well-being.
The effectiveness of an RFA rhizotomy varies among patients. Some may experience relief from chronic pain for six months to a year, while others may benefit for an extended period. If pain returns as nerves regenerate, the procedure can be repeated.
An RFA rhizotomy is a viable treatment option for chronic pain when other conservative treatments have failed. It provides our patients with immediate or gradual relief that can last for months or years.
At Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches, we specialize in innovative treatments for chronic pain including Radiofrequency (RFA) rhizotomy’s. This minimally invasive procedure uses heat to interrupt nerve pathways and reduce pain signals. We frequently prescribe it to patients who have not achieved relief from chronic pain disorders through traditional treatment options such as physical therapy, medication, or injections.
Our patients seeking RFA rhizotomy treatments typically suffer from persistent pain in the back or neck. Conditions such as facet joint arthritis, spinal arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, and sacroiliac joint pain may see significant improvements from this procedure.
Before we recommend an RFA rhizotomy, we ensure that our patients are suitable candidates. We conduct a diagnostic procedure called a nerve block, which involves injecting a numbing medication near the nerve causing the pain. If the patient experiences significant pain reduction, they may be considered a good candidate for RFA rhizotomy.
We ensure our patients are in relatively good health and do not have severe medical conditions that may complicate the procedure. We provide a thorough diagnosis of pain caused by specific nerves and set realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure. While an RFA rhizotomy can greatly reduce pain, it may not eliminate it.
We believe that the decision to undergo RFA rhizotomy should be made in consultation with our qualified healthcare providers who can evaluate the patient’s condition and discuss potential risks and benefits. We strive to determine if RFA rhizotomy is an appropriate treatment option based on an individual’s specific medical history and symptoms.
At Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches, we offer a range of treatments designed to alleviate chronic pain, including RFA Rhizotomys, or radiofrequency ablation. This treatment uses heat to create a lesion on a nerve, disrupting the pain signals sent to the brain. Here’s what you can expect:
Before RFA Rhizotomy Treatment
Our medical specialists will perform a full examination that includes a medical history, a physical exam, and diagnostic testing such as X-rays or MRI scans. This helps us identify the nerve that’s causing your pain. We’ll also use a diagnostic nerve block to confirm the target nerve.
For pain management, we support a multidisciplinary approach. As a result, we provide complementary therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, and mindfulness meditation, all of which are useful in nerve pain management.
Post-procedure, you’ll recover in a comfortable area before being allowed to go home. As a safety measure, we recommend having a friend or family member drive you home. The injection site may be uncomfortable or numb, although this is usually treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
We’ll schedule follow-up sessions to check on your progress and resolve any issues. Please remember that every patient’s condition is unique, so our healthcare providers will give you specific instructions and guidelines based on your condition and the exact type of treatment you’re receiving. Our mission at Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches is to help you live pain-free. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. Our clinics are conveniently located in Greenacres, FL, and Port St. Lucie, FL. We serve patients from Port St. Lucie FL, Stuart FL, Palm City FL, Greenacres FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, and surrounding areas.