Radiofrequency Lesioning

What is Radiofrequency Lesioning?

Radiofrequency Lesioning is a low risk method of treating back or neck pain caused by degeneration of the facet joints of the spine. Facet joints are the smallest joints of the spine.

Radiofrequency Lesioning is used to interrupt pain signals from the joint by distorting the nerve tissue so that it does not function. The nerve may slowly repair itself over three to six months. During this period, you may exercise with less pain so that your spine becomes stronger and more stable by the time the nerve regenerates.

The human body may regenerate pain pathways over time. It is not unusual that the procedure may need to be repeated in three to six months.

Prior to the Procedure, the staff will ask you questions about your health and medical history. At this time, your physician will discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure with you.

During the Procedure, you will be asked to lie on your stomach on an x-ray table. After administering a local anesthetic, your physician will position the radiofrequency lesioning probe with x-ray guidance to the correct anatomic location of the facet joint nerves. Tests will then be performed to make sure that the probe is close enough to the nerve to distort the nerve tissue effectively, as well as to be sure the probe is well away from other nerves in the area. Once these tests are performed, local anesthetic is again injected so that most people have no discomfort during the actual lesioning procedure.

Following the Procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room. In the recovery room you will be monitored for a short time.

Post-operatively, some patients may notice numbness or weakness. This is due to the local anesthetic used during the procedure. This should disappear in 1-2 hours once the anesthetic has worn off. It can be expected that you may have some discomfort for one to two weeks after the procedure. Pain medication may be prescribed for this discomfort. Either a follow-up phone call will be made to you or an evaluation will be scheduled within three weeks of the procedure.

Following your procedure:

Do not drive or operate machinery or heavy equipment for 24 hours following your procedure
Perform activities as you are able to tolerate
Diet as usual
Resume taking all medication you were on prior to the procedure

You must have a driver

Berfore your Radiofrequency Procedure

Do not take any anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn, or Relafin for 5 days before your procedure
Do not eat for 8 hours before your procedure
Do not drink for 4 hours before your procedure

Notify the Pain Clinic before your procedure if

You are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Coumadin or Heparin
You are a diabetic and take insulin or oral diabetic medication
There is a chance you may be pregnant
You have any allergies to x-ray dyes or latex products
You develop any infections or are currently taking antibiotics for an infection