Radiofrequency Ablation
Ajith Nair, M.D.
Interventional Pain Management located in Louisville, KY & Elizabethtown, KY
If you have chronic pain not relieved by anesthetic injections, you may be a candidate for treatment with radiofrequency ablation. At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists in Louisville, Kentucky, interventional pain specialist Ajith Nair, MD, offers in-office radiofrequency ablation procedures to prevent pain signals from traveling to your brain. This treatment is an alternative to opioid medications and can prevent the need for surgery. Schedule a consultation online or by calling Kentuckiana Pain Specialists to learn more about the benefits of radiofrequency ablation.
Radiofrequency Pain Management
Q & A
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat energy to destroy nerve fibers responsible for pain. This disrupts the transmission of pain signals to the brain and provides you with long-term pain relief.
This type of treatment may be an option if you have chronic pain but want to avoid surgery and reduce your reliance on opioid medications.
Why would I need radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation may be an option for treatment if you have chronic pain that isn’t treatable with more conservative therapies.
Dr. Nair may recommend radiofrequency ablation if you have chronic pain from:
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Peripheral nerve pain
Dr. Nair offers a comprehensive evaluation to determine if radiofrequency ablation is right for you. He initially may recommend a diagnostic nerve block to see if the treatment will be successful at relieving your pain.
What can I expect during radiofrequency ablation?
During the procedure, Dr. Nair uses specialized X-ray technology to guide a needle into the right position around your nerve. You’re awake for the procedure, but Dr. Nair provides a local anesthetic to numb the area and keep you comfortable.
Once the needle is in place, Dr. Nair passes the radiofrequency current through it to create a lesion on your nerve. The lesion destroys the area of your nerve that transmits pain signals to your brain. Based on your needs, Dr. Nair can treat multiple nerves during the same procedure.
How long does it take to recover from radiofrequency ablation?
Immediately after the procedure, Dr. Nair encourages you to walk around before you can go home to rest. You’ll need someone to drive you home from your appointment.
It’s common to experience pain for the first two weeks after your ablation. However, you can expect to go back to your usual activities within a day or two.
Some people experience pain relief soon after treatment, but it’s normal for it to take up to three weeks for you to notice the optimal benefits. Dr. Nair continues to monitor the success of your treatment during follow-up appointments.
For many, pain relief lasts between 9-24 months. In some cases, the nerve can grow back and you may need additional treatment to keep you pain-free.
Radiofrequency Pain Management
To find out if radiofrequency ablation is right for you, contact Kentuckiana Pain Specialists by phone or online today.
Contact Us
At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists we offer extensive cervical facet joint treatment. We have been in business since 1992 and has offered quality treatments for your neck pain. Call 502-995-4004 today.