Radiofrequency Lesioning For Chronic Pain

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What is radiofrequency lesioning?

Radiofrequency lesioning of nerves is a procedure that may be used to reduce certain kinds of chronic pain by preventing transmission of pain signals. It is a safe procedure in which a portion of nerve tissue is heated to cause an interruption in pain signals and reduce pain in that area. This procedure is sometimes called radiofrequency ablation.

Your health professional will first identify the nerve or nerves that are sending pain signals to your brain. You may have X-rays to pinpoint where to direct the radiofrequency probe. After you receive a local anesthetic, the doctor places an instrument under your skin through which electrical stimulation heats the surrounding tissue. This may cause you to feel a buzzing or tingling sensation. The heat "stuns" your nerves, blocking them from sending pain signals to your brain. However, the nerve often tries to grow back and therefore the results are only temporary and usually last for around 6 to 9 months.

This procedure is done in an operating room and takes between 20 minutes to 1 hour or longer depending on how many, and which, nerves are being blocked. If the nerve that is blocked is not the nerve that is causing the pain, your pain will not be reduced.

Radiofrequency lesioning is not effective for everyone. If you have not responded well to other treatment, such as diagnostic local anesthesia nerve blocks, radiofrequency lesioning will probably not work for you.

Last updated:	February 22, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC