RADIOFREQUENCY TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN

Radiofrequency rhizolysis is a minimally invasive technique used for the treatment of mechanical back pain, which is the one produced when the spine bone works.

Mechanical lumbago originates from the impinged pain-causing nerve root lying between vertebras and the facet joint. Pain caused by disc pathologies such as disc herniation, disc protrusion or black disc (degenerative disc) are not included.

Radiofrequency ablation consists of interrupting problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord to relieve painful symptoms by means of electrical pulses.

It is a technique performed in the operation room under local anesthesia with sedation controlled by the anesthesiologist.  It is not a surgical procedure but is instead done on an outpatient basis. The patient would require two or three injections on both sides of the spinal column involving special needles which are attached to a radiofrequency generator.

The technique is carried out using X-ray in order to control needles in every moment and not to make damage to any anatomical structure. Radiofrequency rhizolysis lasts about 45 minutes and after that the patient will be able to leave the operating room on his/her own two feet. It is probably patients experience discomfort after the intervention, but it will be alleviated effectively with analgesics.

If the procedure is well performed, we deal with a safe and effective technique for the treatment of low back pain. The symptoms will be allayed in few hours after the intervention.

As its main drawback we could say that this technique is limited in time since its effectiveness persists between 1 and 2 years due to the nerve regeneration which   will return to its original function.