Radiofrequency Ablation (Rhizotomy)

If a patient experiences nerve pain, they may need to undergo radiofrequency (RF) ablation. RF ablation, or lesioning, is a 30- to 60-minute procedure that uses electrical impulses to disrupt nerve conduction for a long period of time (usually 6-12 months). This interruption can help decrease related symptoms, like numbness, tingling or burning. By blocking the nerve’s pain signals, we can also sometimes discover that pain is coming from a different area of the body than previously thought. After the procedure, the patient will experience muscle soreness for a few days, but it can be remedied with ice. Patients are advised not to drive home, but they should be able to go to work the next day. 

 

The actual procedure involves using x-rays to pinpoint where the nerves in question are. A local anaesthetic is injected to numb surface tissue, and a special RF needle is inserted for electrical stimulation prior to the RF ablation, causing some tingling sensations. Finally, an RF machine is used to heat the tissue around the needle tip as the electric current passes, blocking the nerves semi-permanently (6-12 months).