Radiofrequency Ablation for Neck Pain

Treating Headaches and Neck Pain with Radiofrequency Ablation

A 52-year-old female presented with a 15-year history of neck pain associated with headaches. She reported that this all started with a motor vehicle accident 17 years prior and remembered having neck pain immediately after the accident; however, the pain gradually increased until the headaches started. She had several MRI’s of the brain, but her Primary Care Physician and Neurologist had been unable to effectively treat her headaches.

The patient had tried multiple medications with minimal improvement. She was evaluated and it was discovered that she had exquisite neck pain on physical examination. An MRI of her neck revealed moderate arthritis in her upper neck, she was diagnosed with Cervical Facet Syndrome sent to physical therapy with little improvement. She was scheduled for diagnostic cervical medial branch blocks and had greater than 80% improvement immediately after the procedure.

Advanced Spine and Pain completed a radiofrequency ablation, and the patient has reported complete elimination of the headaches as well as improvement in her neck pain. If you have similar symptoms, schedule an appointment for an evaluation.