Radio-frequency Ablation (RFA) is designed to diagnose and treat a different problem that epidural steroid injections (ESI). The facets are a smaller paired set of joints in the lower back. They can be “blocked” with a numbing agent either by numbing the nerve that sends signals to the brain (Medial Branch Block or MBB) or by injection directly into the joint (capsular blocks or intraarticular blocks). If the facet is the major pain generator, there will be 2-3 hours of at least 60% relief.
The RFA then is employed which ablates (burns) the medial branch, thereby disconnecting the facet from the brain so pain signals do not continue to be transmitted. Unfortunately, these peripheral nerves attempt to regenerate within a year reintroducing pain to the brain. A repeat RFA can be considered if pain recurs.
If the problem is disc pain generation, the RFA will be unsuccessful. The same could be said if the pain is generated by the nerve (nerve pain). If nerve pain is the cause, a decompression or a fusion could be needed. If purely disc pain, fusion is considered.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
