In the field of pain, it is widely used as an effective and efficient method to control pain in patients with pain that is resistant to other treatments. In this method, the radiofrequency probe is placed next to the nerve, and it causes changes in the nerve through heat and electromagnetic waves. It says that it ultimately controls and inhibits the transmission of the pain message, or in other words, the nerve is blocked without medication (of course, depending on the temperature used, this block will vary from the block of pain fibers alone to the complete block of the nerve. In fact, there are two types of RF :
1. Thermal, in which the nerve is burned.
2. Pulse, in which only pain transmission is inhibited.
In what cases is RF used? It is very useful in controlling pain that is resistant to treatment and in those who are not candidates for surgery to control pain due to their physical conditions.
for example:
1. Failed back surgery syndrome(failed back surgery syndrome)
2.Controlling pain caused by hyperactivity of the sympathetic system, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and migraine and cluster headaches, as well as excessive palm sweating (Hyperhydrosis).
3. Chronic shoulder pain such as frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis) or severe wear and tear in the shoulder or knee joint (genicular nerve lesioning)
4.Severe wear in the facet joints(Facet joints) or discogenic pains(internal disc disruption)
5. Facial trigeminal nerve pain(Trigeminal neuralgia)
6....
How is this procedure done? According to the problem of the patient, the desired nerve is selected and under the guidance of fluoroscopy or ultrasound, the radiofrequency probe is placed next to the desired nerve, and after ensuring the proper distance between the probe and the nerve based on the stimulation of the motor and sensory parts of the nerve, the device is turned on. We adjust the basis of the desired treatment method in terms of temperature and duration of irradiation and turn it on. It may take 2 to 4 weeks to see the full effects of RF. Also, based on the different parameters used in RF, the effects of this method may vary between 6 months and 4 years. There is no need for anesthesia to perform RF and this work is done only with local anesthesia. Although in some cases there may be a need for sedation.
Author: Dr. Hossein Arjamand