What happens during treatment of Radiofrequency ablation for pain?
At the time of the procedure, you will be asked to sign consent forms, list medications you are presently taking, and if you have any allergies to medication. The brief procedure may last 15-45 minutes, followed by a recovery period.
Step
1: prepare the patient
The
patient lies on an x-ray table. Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment
area. The patient experiences minimal discomfort throughout the
procedure. The patient remains awake and aware during the procedure to provide
feedback to the physician.
A
low dose sedative, such as Valium or Versed, is usually the only medication
given for this procedure.
Step
2: insert the needle
The
technique for nerve ablation is similar to that used for diagnostic blocks.
With the aid of a fluoroscope (a special x-ray), the doctor directs a thin
hollow needle into the region responsible for the pain. Some discomfort occurs,
but patients typically feel more pressure than pain.
Step
3: deliver heating current
Once
the needle is in place, the patient receives a numbing medication. Then a radiofrequency current is passed through
the hollow needle to create a small and precise burn, called a lesion, about
the size of a cotton swab tip.
The
current destroys the portion of the nerve that transmits pain and disrupts the
pain-producing signal. The burn takes approximately 90 seconds for each site,
and multiple nerves can be burned at the same time.
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