|
|
|
Radio Frequency Ablation
February 11, 2009 |
If you’re one of the millions with chronic neck or back pain it can feel like it
controls
your life. But there may be some relief through radiofrequency ablation,
a procedure where doctors cauterize, or burn, the nerves causing the pain.
Dr. Gene Mahaney is Medical Director with Pain Management of Lee Memorial Health
System. He says, “Typically a patient that would get a radiofrequency ablation would
be an older patient with some arthritis problems of the back or a patient with a
history of motor vehicle accidents who have had whiplash injuries to the lower back
or neck.”
A one-time session isn’t usually a permanent solution, but it can provide long lasting
relief. Dr. Mahaney adds, “Typically lasts on the ordinary a year or more in terms
of providing pain control and it can keep people out of severe pain for quite some
time.” The nerves do grow back usually within a year so the procedure may need to
be repeated down the road. But the continued process may provide a more permanent
outcome. “I have some patients who have received a radiofrequency ablation maybe
every year for a while and then find out that the nerve simply doesn’t grow back
after that and it becomes a permanent solution,” says Dr. Mahaney.
The procedure only takes about ten minutes and is done under x-ray guidance allowing doctors to visualize the nerves. Physicians say after the procedure patients feel
relief in about a day or two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
