We often have many questions about radio frequency procedures in our Panama City, Florida office, so I have written this short synopsis of the procedure and some things to look forward to. I have tried to make the information useful to all who read this whether they are here in Panama City or elsewhere and whether or not they combine Chiropractic care with Radio Frequency or not.

Radiofrequency ablation (also known as medial branch rhizotomy) is a procedure used to reduce severe or chronic pain. The procedure is performed by placing an electrical current produced by radio waves next to a nerve that transmits pain signals from the joint to the spinal nerve. Radio waves heat a small area of ​​nerve tissue, decreasing pain signals from the target area.

RFA is commonly used to relieve patients with prolonged lower back / leg and neck / arm pain and pain related to degeneration of the joints of the spine from arthritis. These conditions should show positive responses to the test blocks performed previously to determine if the treated tissue is actually the areas causing the pain before RFA can be used. The degree of pain relief can vary depending on the root cause and the location of the source of pain. Relief can last six to 12 months, and in some cases it can last for years. More than 70% of patients treated with ARF experience pain relief according to some studies.

To prepare for your treatment, you must ensure that you do not eat within six hours of your appointment, except for clear liquids, up to two hours before the procedure. If you have diabetes and use insulin, you should adjust your insulin dose on the day of the procedure that your primary care physician can help you with. Bring your diabetes medicine so that you can take it after the procedure, as well as any other medicine you may need. Continue taking all other medications with water. Do not stop any medications (especially insulin) without first consulting with your primary care physician or referring physician. You will need to bring someone to drive you home after the procedure, and you should not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

On the day of the procedure, a doctor will explain the procedure to you in detail and answer any questions you may have, including possible complications and side effects. During the procedure, the doctor will use a specialized X-ray device called a C-Arm, this will help the doctor guide a needle to the exact target area. Once the location is established, a microelectrode is inserted through the needle to begin the stimulation process. During this process, the doctor will ask you at various times if you are able to feel certain sensations. The goal of this is to help your doctor determine if the electrode is in the best place for treatment. After obtaining the needle and electrode placement, a small radio frequency current is sent through the electrode to the surrounding tissue, causing the tissue to heat up. Patients should not feel any discomfort during the warm-up portion of the procedure, as we do not have heat sensors in this tissue.

After the procedure, you will remain in the office or surgery center for observation, where a nurse will monitor your blood pressure and pulse. A bandage will be placed over the procedure site and you should make sure you have someone to drive you home.

RFA has been clinically shown to be a safe and effective way to treat some forms of pain. It is also generally well tolerated, with very few associated complications. There is a slight risk of infection and bleeding at the insertion site. Your doctor can advise you on your particular risk.

The main side effect of ARF is some discomfort with swelling and / or bruising at the treatment site, but this usually goes away after a few days, and of course, as with any medical procedure, ARF is not appropriate for everyone. Your doctor can tell you if you shouldn’t have RFA.

After RFA treatment, you will follow up with your doctor to monitor your progress and, in cases where chiropractic care and physical therapy are available, the rehabilitation process will begin. This phase of your care is very important even if your pain is gone because the joint is not repaired at this point, only the pain is blocked and if the joint problem is not addressed, the likelihood of further joint pain and damage is increased. . Chiropractic care is designed to improve overall joint function, and in rehab, you will learn exercises and stretches to improve muscle function and strength around those joints, helping to stabilize affected areas for the future.