6 Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation

If you suffer from chronic nerve pain — whether it’s in your neck, lower back, knee, or arthritic joints — our radiofrequency ablation treatment might be your answer.

Double board-certified Dr. Ronak Patel has the expertise to treat your pain. When you book an appointment at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute at either one of our locations in Plainsboro or Manalapan Township, New Jersey, Dr. Patel first tests the tissues in the areas of your pain to find out exactly what nerves are involved. 

Once determined, he can perform radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

How it works

RFA is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive treatment that destroys the nerve tissues that carry pain signals to your brain. 

Before your procedure begins, our team makes sure you don’t feel any pain. We provide a local anesthetic at the injection site and can give you medication to help you relax, as needed.

Dr. Patel injects a hollow needle near your area of pain. He then sends a radiofrequency current through it to obliterate the nerve fibers that tell your brain you have pain.

The procedure only takes about an hour or less and you have a very short recovery period in our office. You can then return home and get back to your normal activities within 24-72 hours.

The advantages

This method of treatment has numerous advantages. Here are six:

1. It’s safe and has mild side effects

RFA is a safe procedure that offers very little risk of any complications. When you take prescription medication for pain, you can experience several side effects. However, with RFA — at most — you might have some mild bruising or swelling at the injection site, mild discomfort, and a bit of numbness where the needle goes in. You might also feel weakness in your legs for about 24 hours after your treatment.

2. Relieves pain

RFA provides positive results for more than 70% of those who have the treatment. You can expect to experience some relief immediately after your procedure, but the full effect sets in within 1-3 weeks. You can also look forward to lasting relief.

3. Recovery is quick

Though you need at least 24 hours to take it easy after your treatment, it’s a short period of time of recovery — especially considering your relief can last up to 24 months. It’s even possible that your pain will be gone forever.

4. Lessens your need for painkillers

Because of RFA’s long-lasting results, you should be able to reduce your oral pain medication. This is good news since many of them produce side effects and have risks.

5. Improves your function

When your pain is gone, you can function better. Movement and agility are positive outcomes that result from RFA.

6. Reduces your need for surgery

Though surgery is an option for relieving your pain, you typically have a long recovery and are at greater risk for complications, such as bleeding or infection. The effectiveness of RFA may very well mean you never have to get surgery. 

You don’t have to keep suffering with pain. Call our team or book an appointment online today to learn more about radiofrequency ablation and find out if it’s right for you.