Radiofrequency ablation for back pain may be the best treatment for you if you haven’t responded to other, less invasive techniques. Your NYC back pain doctor often relies on lumbar radiofrequency ablation to treat chronic lower back pain when surgery isn’t an option. The radiofrequency ablation procedure is performed in your Midtown Manhattan pain management doctor’s office and can lead to pain relief that lasts for years. Make an appointment today in our clinic to get your pain evaluation and treatment.
Radiofrequency ablation, as the name infers, is a procedure that relies on electric current and radio waves to produce enough heat to significantly disrupt the normal flow of the pain and sensations that flow through your nerves. Radiofrequency ablation for back pain is the most common use for the radiofrequency ablation procedure by your Midtown Manhattan sports medicine and pain management doctor.
The Basics of Radiofrequency Ablation for Back Pain
The radiofrequency ablation procedure is minimally invasive. It’s delivered by way of a needle, like an injection. This nerve block procedure is an ideal solution if you’ve suffered from chronic pain lasting more than six months. The relief you get from radiofrequency ablation for back pain can last for up to 12 months, although many people get relief from back pain for years following a lumbar radiofrequency ablation.
If you’ve tried conservative treatments like rest, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medications with no relief — and had at least one other type of diagnostic or injection trial, like a trigger point injection — you may be a candidate for radiofrequency ablation procedures. In addition to back and neck pain, your sports medicine doctor uses the procedure to treat:
The radiofrequency ablation for back pain treatment is performed in your New York City doctor’s office, and like many injections to treat pain, your doctor relies on fluoroscopy to guide the injection. Fluoroscopy, or real-time x-ray imaging, provides your doctor with sufficient guidance on where to place the needle.
Once you’ve been made comfortable on the x-ray table, the process usually follows several steps. The entire procedure takes between 20 minutes and an hour, depending on how many areas are treated. The procedure involves:
You’re given a low-dose sedative to relax you.
The skin is cleaned where the injection is planned.
Your physician places a numbing agent onto your skin, which may sting for a few moments.
The radiofrequency needle is inserted and guided to the proper point.
A tiny amount of electricity is shot through the needle at first to make sure your doctor has the needle placed correctly. A muscle twitches when it’s been hit with the impulse.
The nerves then are numbed so that you won’t feel the pain of the heat.
The heat creates a small lesion to put a stop to the pain. Additional nerves are treated during the same treatment period if necessary.
Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects
About 70 percent of the people who receive lumbar radiofrequency ablation report positive results. Sometimes, after the nerve block is done, you and your doctor realize that your pain is also coming from other sources. Risks are minimal, and complications such as infection and bleeding are rare. More commonly, you’ll experience temporary side effects that could include:
Bruising
Swelling at the injection site
Leg numbness or weakness
Although you can usually return to work and your normal activities the next day, your pain management team recommends that you don’t drive for 24 hours. And you’ll need a ride home from the office. You’ll probably be a little sore for about a week, though ice packs help relieve this discomfort.
Radiofrequency ablation performed by Dr. Melepura was quite effective for me. Since the treatment, my back pain has lessened by 70%, and I can now walk much more easily.
Amiah Poole
Following Up in Manhattan
Build a relationship with our experienced sports pain relief specialist at the Sports and Pain Institute of NY — they want to ensure that you get the most effective treatment for back pain. Athletes who suffer from chronic injuries, executives on the go for days on end, and older New Yorkers suffering from age-related wear-and-tear conditions appreciate the pain relief they get from the radiofrequency ablation procedure.
It’s likely that you’ll have to return for follow-up injections, or touch-ups, within about three weeks if your pain is not fully abated. This procedure isn’t permanent so you need to maintain regular visits to keep up the relief.
Contraindications:
You’re not a candidate for radiofrequency ablation for back pain if you:
Are taking blood thinning medication
Have uncontrolled diabetes
Suffer with heart disease
Have an active infection
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation work?
Radiofrequency ablation works by using a high-frequency electric current to burn the affected nerve tissue, so it can stop transmitting pain signals. Thus, it provides long-term relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck, and arthritic joints.
What Is Radiofrequency Ablation Used For?
Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat various chronic (long-standing) painful conditions such as spondylosis (inflammation of the spine), sacroiliitis (inflammation of the joint between your lower spine and pelvis), and pain arising from small facet joints situated between the bones of the spine. These conditions cause chronic back and neck pains. Radiofrequency ablation is generally carried out when a patient’s symptoms do not improve with an epidural, facet joint, or other injection treatments.
Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
Radiofrequency ablation notably improves function and pain levels for 6–12 months, or even longer, in patients with chronic back pain. It is also seen that radiofrequency ablation helps reduce the use of painkillers in these patients.
How Effective Is the Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure?
Radiofrequency ablation provides lasting pain relief in more than 70% of cases. The relief can last from six to 12 months, or even years for some patients.
What Are the Side Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is a relatively safe procedure with a minor risk of complications. Some side effects include pain at the treated site, transient increase in nerve pain, inflammation of the nerves, numbness at the treated site, and infection.
Who Performs Radiofrequency Ablation?
The physicians who perform radiofrequency ablation (radiofrequency ablation) are pain management specialists.
Where Is Radiofrequency Ablation Performed?
Radiofrequency ablation is performed in our office in the fluoroscopy (X-ray) room. The physician can view the internal structures in real-time with the help of images generated on a monitor.
Is Radiofrequency Considered Surgery?
No, radiofrequency ablation is an alternative procedure to surgery in cases where surgery is not a good option and/or where other conservative measures have failed. Because preparation is required before radiofrequency ablation as you would see when undergoing a surgical procedure, many people assume that it’s a surgery, but it’s not.
Is Radiofrequency Ablation Safe?
Radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for various types of pain. It is generally well-tolerated and doesn’t pose much risk. There is, however, a slight risk of infection and bleeding at the procedure site.
Is Radiofrequency Ablation Painful?
You may experience mild discomfort or soreness at the treatment site, but this usually goes away in a few days. Ice packs will also help relieve pain.
Is Radiofrequency Ablation Dangerous?
Radiofrequency ablation has a minimal side effect profile when done by an expert specialist. However, side effects may occur in some cases. While inserting the needle, there may be damage to the nearby blood vessels and nerves, leading to bleeding or permanent nerve damage (shows up as long-term numbness and tingling). If the electrical pad is not placed at the proper distance from the nerve(s) being treated, the chances of skin burns are increased.
Can Radiofrequency Ablation Be Repeated?
The effects of radiofrequency ablation can last for a year or even longer. However, sometimes, the nerve(s) may regenerate in about 6-12 months, causing recurrent pain. If this happens, the procedure can be repeated.
How Long Does Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure Take?
The entire procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, but this time period may vary depending on the number of areas treated.
How Is Radiofrequency Ablation Performed?
The skin over the area to be treated is cleaned. A numbing agent is then injected into your skin. Using X-ray guidance, your doctor will guide a thin needle to the exact target area. A microelectrode is then passed through the needle. A small dose of electric current is next fired through the electrode into the tissue to ensure that the needle is in the correct position. When hit with a current, the nearby muscles will feel a thumping sensation with a twitching. You won’t feel any pain from heat as your nerves will also be numbed. The current is then shot through the hollow needle to burn and destroy the nerve(s) carrying pain sensation and hence halt the pain. Radiofrequency ablation can treat multiple nerves at the same time if required.
Is Radiofrequency Ablation Covered by Insurance?
All insurances cover radiofrequency ablation, provided that other treatments have been tried and failed. Moreover, the procedure should be deemed medically necessary by your physician.
Do you have any questions about the radiofrequency ablation therapy for back pain we offer in NYC? Would you like to schedule an appointment with the best-rated pain doctor Febin Melepura MD of sports pain center in New York City? Please contact our office for a consultation with the top pain relief specialist in Midtown Manhattan.
Page Updated on Jan 22, 2025 by Dr. Melepura (Pain Management Doctor) of Sports Injury & Pain Management Clinic of New YorkSports Injury & Pain Management Clinic of New York
36 W 44th St #1416
New York, NY 10036 (212) 621-7746
Febin Melepura, MD is a top rated, best in class interventional pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New York City and the country. He is an award winning expert and contributor to a prominent media outlets.
Dr. Febin Melepura has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain and, among other accolades, has been named a “top pain management doctor in New York”, and one of “America’s Top Doctors™” for an advanced sports injury treatments.
CONTENT DISCLAIMERThe information on this website is to provide a general information. In no way does any of the information provided reflect a definitive treatment advice. It is important to consult a best in class pain physician regarding ANY questions or issues. A thorough evaluation should ALWAYS be performed for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If you are in pain or need help be sure to call your local doctor or Dr. Melepura in Midtown Manhattan, to schedule a consultation.
Midtown Manhattan
36 W 44th St Ste 1416 New York, NY 10036
Radiofrequency ablation, as the name infers, is a procedure that relies on electric current and radio waves to produce enough heat to significantly disrupt the normal flow of the pain and sensations that flow through your nerves. Radiofrequency ablation for back pain is the most common use for the radiofrequency ablation procedure by your Midtown Manhattan sports medicine and pain management doctor.