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Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce neck, back, or joint pain. Because full pain relief is not always immediate, it can be hard to know what symptoms are expected after the procedure. It’s important to understand what is normal after the procedure and what is cause for concern. Learning more about typical recovery time after RFA can help answer your questions.

At Advanced Spine and Pain, our pain specialists have extensive experience with radiofrequency ablation and can support you in choosing the best treatment option for you. Call us at (480) 573-0130 or contact us online to learn more.

How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure designed to address nerve pain by blocking pain signals from nerves. Once a numbing agent (local anesthetic) is injected near a painful nerve, thermal energy from radiofrequency waves is used to heat and destroy tissue so that the pain signal is no longer transmitted from the nerve.

Common areas treated include nerves near facet joints and sacroiliac joints.

After RFA, some patients notice that nerve pain is reduced almost immediately. However, in many cases, it can take 1-3 weeks1 for pain to go away, and sometimes pain relief is not complete. You may notice discomfort, soreness, or numbness at the injection site, and some people report a burning sensation (similar to a sunburn).

These symptoms should improve over time. However, signs of problems after a radiofrequency ablation procedure could include your symptoms worsening or developing over time.

Can Radiofrequency Ablation Cause More Pain?

A common question patients may have after radiofrequency ablation is “Why am I in so much pain after radiofrequency ablation?” It’s important to differentiate between normal post-procedure discomfort and signs of a problem.

Normal pain after nerve ablation includes:

  • Discomfort that is relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
  • A mild burning or tingling sensation or numbness
  • A sensation that can be compared to feeling sunburned
  • Tenderness at the injection site
  • Continued pain like the discomfort you experienced before the procedure

Remember, radiofrequency ablation often does not relieve nerve pain immediately. Pain relief can take 1-3 weeks, and some pain signals may not be blocked entirely even after the procedure.

When is Pain a Sign of a Problem After Radiofrequency Ablation?

Although radiofrequency ablation is considered a low-risk procedure, it can result in complications. Pain can be a sign that the procedure was ineffective or that there are problems during the procedure. Some possible complications include:

  • Infection: signs of infection after RFA include worsening pain, especially at the injection site, along with swelling, redness, or drainage.

  • Nerve or tissue damage: burning pain that does not resolve or improve with over-the-counter medication could be a sign of injury to nerves or tissue.

Severe pain or worsening pain after RFA is not normal and should be reported to your physician immediately. This includes worse pain after cervical radiofrequency ablation, lumbar RFA, or at any other site.

An infographic describing pain symptoms after Radiofrequency Ablation.

What Can I Do About Pain After Radiofrequency Ablation?

There are several measures that are often recommended to help with recovery and lasting pain relief after RFA:

  • Rest (for the first day or two after the procedure)
  • Apply ice
  • Over-the-counter pain medication
  • Low-impact exercise
  • Physical therapy
  • Repeating RFA if pain returns in the months following the procedure

Doctors consider radiofrequency ablation a successful2 treatment if it helps improve a person’s ability to function, leads to at least 50% pain relief, and has results lasting 6-12 months (and sometimes longer).

Learn More About Radiofrequency Ablation

It’s important to remember that feeling pain after a radiofrequency ablation treatment does not necessarily mean it is not working or that something is wrong. However, if you have increased pain after radiofrequency ablation or do not have any pain relief after 1-3 weeks, you should contact your doctor for more advice.

Our Advanced Spine and Pain providers can help walk you through whether radiofrequency ablation is the right pain management choice for your chronic pain and what to expect after your procedure. Contact us today for expert advice from our team or call us at (480) 573-0130.

References:

  1. Streitberger, K., Müller, T., Eichenberger, U., Trelle, S., & Curatolo, M. (2011). Factors determining the success of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar facet joint pain: a prospective study. European Spine Journal, 20(12), 2160–2165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1891-6
  2. McCormick, Z. L. (2015). Long-Term Function, Pain and Medication Use Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation for Lumbar Facet Syndrome. International Journal of Anesthetics and Anesthesiology, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.23937/2377-4630/2/2/1028

About

Advanced Spine and Pain is a leading pain management group based in Phoenix, AZ, and quickly expanding throughout the state. Offering minimally-invasive pain care services, the ASAP group consists of Arizona's top pain management specialists, including Drs. Abram Burgher, Todd Turley, and Jarrett Leathem.

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