Radiofrequency Ablations for Back, Knee and Shoulder Pain

Radiofrequency ablation works by inserting a thin needle guided by computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound through the skin and close to a nerve. Electrical energy delivered through this needle heats and disrupts the nerve at the site.

This procedure uses a machine (Radio frequency generator) to generate a current to interrupt nerve conduction on a semi-permanent basis. The radio frequency current heats the surrounding tissue around a terminal branch of the nerve and this diminishes transmission of painful sensations. Radio frequency is a widely used method for lesioning nervous tissue. With this technique, a high frequency current is passed down an electrode, through a cannula that is fully insulated except for its tip. This heats the surrounding tissue from between 42-80°C and prevents the transmission of pain signals from the area being treated. This procedure can achieve 60 - 90% pain relief in many patients for periods of more than a year. When the pain returns, the procedure can be repeated.