Services Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation

Hattiesburg Clinic offers radiofrequency ablation as a non-surgical treatment option for chronic lower back and neck pain.

Radiofrequency Ablation Overview

Hattiesburg Clinic offers radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a non-surgical treatment option that uses current to destroy an area of nerves. RFA is commonly used to treat chronic pain from arthritis of the spine.

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation team offers this option as a way to relieve pain, restore function and help patients regain quality of life. Our experts will guide you in diagnosing your condition and determining the most successful treatment option for you.

What Does Radiofrequency Ablation Treat?
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
What Does the Process Look Like?
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What Does Radiofrequency Ablation Treat?

Radiofrequency ablation is most often used to treat facet joint pain caused by arthritis or degeneration of the joints. Patients suffering from this pain often describe it as an ache in the spinal area that worsens with sitting, standing or driving. If you are suffering from facet joint pain and medications and therapy have not provided relief, you could be a candidate for radiofrequency ablation. Additionally, radiofrequency ablation may be an option to patients who did not receive lasting relief from joint injections.

How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?

During radiofrequency ablation, a radio wave produces an electrical current to heat the nerve and reduce the pain. While pain relief with radiofrequency ablation typically lasts 6 to 12 months, it can sometimes last for years.

What Does the Process Look Like?

This treatment is performed under conscious sedation and local anesthetic at Hattiesburg Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. Under X-ray guidance, the physician inserts the needle and microelectrode into the area of pain. Once the area is verified, a current is released and the tissue is heated, providing the patient with relief from pain.

Most patients do not feel discomfort from the heat. While recovery time is minimal, it is suggested that patients receiving radiofrequency ablation arrange for transportation after the procedure.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

We are proud to offer radiofrequency ablation as an option to our patients. Our team is committed to helping you reduce pain, improve mobility and regain your quality of life. To learn more about this treatment option, contact our expert team today.