OUR SERVICES
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)
Long-Term Relief for Chronic Pain
If you are suffering from chronic back or neck pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy or standard injections, you don’t have to rely on daily medication or consider invasive surgery. Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA), also known as rhizotomy, is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure designed to “deactivate” the specific nerves responsible for sending chronic pain signals to your brain. At New South Medical, we provide precise, interventional RFA treatments to help patients in the Marietta and Atlanta area restore their function and reclaim their quality of life.
What is Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)?
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a state-of-the-art pain management procedure that uses electrical current produced by a radio wave to heat up a small area of nerve tissue. This heat creates a tiny lesion, effectively disrupting the nerve's ability to transmit pain signals from your spine to your brain. By targeting only the specific sensory nerves responsible for your discomfort—while leaving motor nerves and spinal function intact—we can provide significant, long-term pain relief.
Conditions We Treat
RFA is highly effective for patients whose pain is mechanical or “joint-based” rather than nerve-compression based. We commonly utilize RFA to treat:
Facet Joint Syndrome:
Chronic, localized neck or back pain caused by inflammation of the small spinal hinges.
Lumbar & Cervical Spondylosis:
Age-related wear and tear of the spine resulting in persistent joint stiffness and aching.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain:
Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis area that is often resistant to other treatments.
Chronic Spine Pain:
Persistent discomfort that has failed to improve with standard physical therapy, chiropractic care, or initial injections.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Your comfort, safety, and clinical accuracy are our priorities. The procedure is performed in our office-based suite and typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes.
Preparation: You will be positioned comfortably on a procedure table. The target area on your back or neck is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
Fluoroscopic Guidance: Using live X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy), our specialists guide a specialized RFA cannula to the exact location of the target sensory nerve.
Testing: Before the ablation, we perform sensory and motor testing to ensure we are only targeting the nerve responsible for your pain, ensuring your surrounding muscles remain unaffected.
Ablation: Once the position is confirmed, radiofrequency energy is delivered to create a controlled heat lesion.
Recovery: You will remain in the clinic for a brief observation period. Most patients can walk out of the office shortly after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Radio Frequency Ablation permanent?
RFA is not permanent, but it is long-term. Because nerves are living tissue, they can eventually regenerate over time. Most patients experience significant pain relief lasting between 6 and 12 months (and often longer). Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, it can be safely repeated if the pain eventually returns.
Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is performed using a local anesthetic to numb your skin. You may feel slight pressure during the needle placement, but most patients report minimal discomfort. We are committed to making your experience as comfortable and efficient as possible.
What is the recovery time?
Recovery is very rapid. Most patients return to their normal daily activities within 24 to 48 hours. You may experience temporary soreness at the injection site, but this typically resolves quickly.
Why choose RFA over surgery?
RFA is a highly targeted, non-surgical alternative. It avoids the long recovery times, hospital stays, and risks associated with open back surgery, allowing you to get back to your active life as quickly as possible.