12 Jan Radiofrequency Lesioning at Pain Clinics
There are a number of pain clinics in Chicago that offer minimally-invasive treatments such as radiofrequency lesioning (RL). These treatments help people who struggle with chronic pain and want to avoid the challenges associated with surgery and other invasive treatments.
However, many of these therapies can seem confusing at first. This article explains the use of radiofrequency lesioning so you can decide for yourself if this is a treatment you would like to pursue.
What Is Radiofrequency Lesioning?
Radiofrequency lesioning, also known as ablation, is a relatively new form of pain management treatment. The purpose of RF is to help disrupt nerve signaling to prevent pain. The procedure involves the use of electric impulses which help to get rid of damaged or disrupted nerves that continue to send pain signals throughout the nervous system and to the brain.
This is an outpatient procedure that works by helping to block nerve signaling, thus reducing pain.
How Does the Treatment Work?
The first thing that pain clinics in Chicago may do is run a basic nerve block to ensure if the treatment will work for you. Once it’s determined that you’re a good candidate for RL, you’ll be taken through the actual procedure.
An RL session doesn’t often take longer than an hour. You may be given some numbing anesthetics to help reduce the discomfort of the procedure. You’ll generally be conscious during the procedure since it’s a minimally invasive procedure. This also allows you to give your doctor feedback.
The physician will employ X-ray guidance to make sure that they’re able to deliver the injection to the proper spot. Once the needle is inserted, a current is pumped through the body. This helps to deactivate the nerves so that they can stop sending you pain signals. The current burns the nerves, creating a lesion, which voids the nerve’s function.
Should I Get Radiofrequency Lesioning?
There are a number of conditions that RL can be useful for helping with. Chronic conditions, such as facet joint pain, arthritis, stenosis, sprains, and chronic back pain can all be managed with radiofrequency lesioning.
RL is generally recommended to people who have not responded well to traditional forms of treatment. If you have already tried to seek help from pain clinics in Chicago without success, you may want to reach out and seek this form of treatment.
There aren’t a lot of risks involved with this treatment. However, some patients report experiencing nerve pain, infections, or allergies following the treatment. These side effects are generally temporary and not too severe.
The majority of patients who receive treatment report an improvement to their condition.
Conclusion
Radiofrequency lesioning is a minimally invasive treatment that allows patients with chronic pain to find relief. By burning the dysfunctional nerves, RL can help to eliminate symptoms of chronic pain. If you’re struggling with chronic pain and haven’t found relief, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the many pain clinics in Chicago.