There are many nerves that pass along and through our spine en route to their final destination, and if any of these nerves become compressed, damaged or otherwise irritated along the way, uncomfortable symptoms can develop. Oftentimes the first line of treatment for spinal nerve compression is through conservative efforts that aim to resolve inflammation contributing to the nerve irritation, like rest, anti-inflammatory medications and controlled physical therapy exercises.
If these techniques don’t provide relief, more hands-on care is typically pursued in order to help the patient overcome their nerve discomfort. While different treatments will be considered based on the specific needs of the individual, one treatment that has become more popular in recent years is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We explain what radiofrequency ablation is and the benefits it offers a patient dealing with spinal nerve pain in today’s blog.
How Radiofrequency Ablation Treats Damaged Spinal Nerves
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment technique that seeks to interrupt painful nerve relays. The process involves inserting a guided needle into a specific area of the spine where the damaged nerve sits. Radiofrequency waves are then delivered through the needle, which in turn heats up the small area of the nerve tissue. This heat ends up creating a gap in the nerve so that the painful sensations cannot make their way back up to the brain to be interpreted by as pain. If you think of the nerve like a drawbridge, radiofrequency ablation effectively helps to raise the bridge so that vehicles can no longer pass freely along the road. They are stuck on one side and can’t make their way across to the brain where they will be interpreted as pain signals.
It may seem a little odd that you’re essentially dealing more damage to a nerve to make it so that it stops relaying painful sensory signals, but it is extremely effective at stopping the relay of painful sensations up to the brain. You may feel a little warmth during the procedure or some numbness in the immediate aftermath, but most patients say any discomfort tends to fade in a couple days.
Benefits Of Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation offers a few unique benefits to the individual compared to other treatments for spinal nerve pain, including:
- Minimally Invasive – A guided needle can deliver great results without the need of a more invasive surgical procedure that in turn carries additional risks.
- Faster Recovery – Because the procedure is minimally invasive, there’s less damage to nearby structures, leading to a decreased recovery time compared to surgical techniques.
- Pinpoint Accuracy – Prior to the ablation, the doctor can send small test signals into the suspected nerve to confirm the nerve in question is indeed the one causing symptoms, which greatly decreases the likelihood that the technique will be ineffective.
- Long-Term Success – Because radiofrequency addresses the problem at the source, it tends to be an effective long-term solution to nerve pain, although it is possible that the nerve will regenerate and this relay path will once again return to function.
- Immediate Results – You won’t have to wait long to experience pain relief when you choose RFA. Many patients have significantly decreased back pain before they discharge from the surgical center, and any lingering discomfort from the procedure itself typically fades in 24-48 hours.
Let Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute be an ally in your quest to overcome painful spinal nerve relays. If conservative care isn’t producing results, we can put our experience to the test for you through RFA or another highly successful treatment. For more information, or for help with a different back or neck issue, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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