Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a medical procedure in which part of the electrical conduction system of the a tumor or other dysfunctional tissue is ablated using the heat generated from medium frequency alternating current to alleviate pain.

If you are interested in an evaluation into the cause of your pain, or want to be evaluated for an RFA procedure to help you manage your pain, please contact our pain management experts at The Spine and Pain Institute of New York. Our offices in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Long Island offer multiple convenient locations for you to be evaluated. We would be happy to make an appointment for a consultation and provide additional information about other treatment options.

[Shba]

I had my L3 4 5 done it has lasted me 4 yrs, with a very physical job. I’m getting ready to do this procedure again. It changed my life

[aliceramey]

I’ve had this procedure 4 times and I’m going for my 5th in a week. This is a god send if you experience back, hip and leg pain. The shortest time I’ve gone is 6 months pain free. The last procedure lasted 9 years! The pain has now returned.

[sunbeamfactory]

To anyone who's nervous about having this procedure: I've had it twice, once a few months ago on my cervical spine, and today on my thoracic. Both times were no big deal. I didn't need anesthesia or sedation; it's a 15-minute procedure, and only about five minutes of that involves needles. If you can handle getting a shot, you can handle a nerve ablation. There's really no need to be scared!

Update: In the three years since I posted this, my osteoarthritis has progressed from moderate to severe. I had another thoracic ablation today, and it was painful, not gonna lie. Not so painful I couldn't handle it -- I still didn't have sedation -- but I needed some time in the recovery room afterward to lie flat and catch my breath. Two of the discs have almost no cartilage left between them, and when they burned those nerves, I had to ask them to stop for a minute. But the whole thing was done in under half an hour, and I came home and took some Aleve, and now I feel fine, just sore.

[TejasToolMan]

Listen up folks, if you've had this done then respond to everyone's questions don't leave unanswered responses

[DecksterPenkor]

For those wondering about this procedure - as fair as pain and discomfort. First, I was awake for it. Doc gave me 0.5 mg zanax for relaxation and a zocor for pain half hour before we started. Long story short: The numbing shots were the usual "pinch and burn". There was no pain during the actual 60 seconds of the RFA, Hardly even what I would call discomfort. In other words, if you made it through spinal injections, this will be fine. (and I have a low tolerance for pain)

[tsotetsilynn]

Hey everyone, I’m scheduled to get my RFAs Saturday next week and it’s been tough making this decision. I’ve been on here reading lots of comments and I hope I will get some relief, my neck, back and spinal pain has been one hell of a nightmare, I don’t remember being without pain, regardless of the time, day and night every single day since 2017.
I’m hoping this is going to be ok. I’m wishing everyone on this pain journey lots of luck and I sincerely hope one day we can all live pain free. God bless every single one of you ❤️

[fbeigi]

I did it 10 days ago on the SI joint on my back. Doctor used local freezing. It hurt a little at beginning but I basically felt nothing for the rest of the procedure. I took it easy for last 10 days, only walking daily. The pain is less every day. Today I was almost pain free.

[bridejesus]

Fantastic presentation. As an RN, BSN with 20 years experience in all areas of surgery and Trauma Level I….. I can say this surgery is done regularly and efficiently for the last 10 years or more at least and is very effective at helping with chronic back pain. In conjunction with ESI (epidural steroid injection) can help very well. Of course there are those who cannot take steroids or those who don’t get any relief and for that there are many other options (procedures that can be done minimally invasive) and still provide pain relief.
Surgery is such a rewarding nursing specialty for those who enjoy providing immediate care and great results.
Best wishes for speedy recovery and success to any who are considering this procedure! 👍🏻

[michaelkraft]

"This is all that's out there, " he said. How true! Of course, we sufferers will take whatever relief we can get! Can't wait for my next RFA.

[dawnlarson]

This morning was the 2nd of two, the first was two weeks ago. I"m fine, but a little sore .. they did five levels in my lower back, right side .. left side was first because the problems & pain were more prevalent. I do not have a tumor, I have severe osteoarthritis, compression fractures and all levels and disk issues. None can be "fixed" with traditional surgery, so this was the only option for pain management. It works and I'll be going back to work on Friday. The "test" run with steroids & anesthetic last fall, gave me 100% for just over four weeks. This will hopefully give me a year or better. Good luck to all of you considering this. For me, it worked.

[ErikaA]

I had this done last Friday. I am praying it is a longer term solution for my back pain.

[marcatkins]

I am a 64 YO veteran, I've had this procedure at the VA, on both knees and lower back (3X in 5 years) and have had tremendous relief. If you've had steroid shots for the same the discomfort here is less during procedure and lasts much longer. In my case about 18 months for back and still going strong with knees (bone on bone).

[rrosen]

Me Dice I am about 8 weeks past the procedure and i am doing great. There was some discomfort from the procedure for a couple of days. The actual procedure wasn’t’ bad. The excruciating pain I was experiencing when I would get out of the car after driving is gone. Good luck to you. I would definitely recommended it. It’s nice to have my limp gone.

[emilybeckett]

I’m surprised by everyone saying they thought this procedure was not painful. I did two diagnostic nerve blocks and the ablation I just did 2 days ago. I found it to be agonizing and I was huffing laughing gas and had versed before hand. I think the most pain is from the placement and testing. The actual heating of the nerves was tolerable. I have a high pain tolerance and I was moaning and gripping the pillow so I am surprised by everyone’s different experiences. It basically was recreating the exact chronic pain I have but increasing it 100 fold. But that’s good, because it shows that the facet nerve is the problem.

[redtilded]

Im 43 and relying heavily on a walking stick.
I have lateral recess stenosis and disc degeneration I’m had the diagnostic injection in my l5 last week and my pain levels dropped drastically! Unfortunately the diagnostic injection only lasts 2 days. Pain went from 9/10 to a 2/10 I’m so excited and nervous to see if I’m a candidate for radio frequency ablation, pain has been ruling and ruining my life for years now.

People don’t understand.. I’ve been told to be more positive or just get on with it.. which is infuriating as all I want is to be able to stand pain free, medication free! If you suffer like me! Keep fighting, try not to despair.. Do not shut yourself off or isolate yourself X

[colochapeligrosa]

I had this done today in my L3-S1, I came looking to see how it looks from an expectator point of view, my doctor treat me so well, she was very kind (I think this doctor is more into the video than the patient) you feel the anesthesia pinch and burn, then the actual RFA I didn't have any discomfort. I've been struggling with pain for many many years and this is the first time I'm having this procedure done so I'm really hoping to get my health back and go back to running and martial arts. Good luck to everyone who's having this or any other pain procedure done, living with pain can be depressing, but don't lose hope, it will get better! If you know of anyone who's living with pain, check in with that person, you don't know how valuable that is.

[imastraycattoo]

I'm 3 weeks post-op for this procedure. Had SI, L2, L3, L4, L5 done with RAP. My situation has been painful for 40 years almost and I wasn't in an accident. The most excruciating pain is my right hip/leg/sciatica. The nerve blocks were WONDERFUL so I thought this could help. This is week 3 now after surgery and I can just now tell that I'm in less pain. Week 1 pretty much felt like my normal pain but also some new localized pain due to the incision sites. Week 2 was TERRIBLE. It was worse than my normal pain but I was told this would happen. I didn't take narcotics- just Advil 800mg twice daily. Still uncomfortable but not unbearable. Just know that week 2 after surgery is going to be worse. For me, my pain is more than a 50% improvement right now and I'm grateful for the relief. Hoping this lasts a long while.

[dalerbsr.]

Thanks, this video is golden for those of us about to go down the same path...

[harleenschenk]

I got this done on Wednesday. I had some much before this procedure, now I feel so much better. I am more active and i don't feel so tired. I love it

[Alpharomeo]

If your having this procedure save your self the worry about experiencing pain and get put to sleep. I use to over stress before procedures and it is exhausting. I've had this procedure atleast 5 or 6 times. Just knock me out. You do wake up achey but it's tolerable enough to get up and walk. Good luck on your healing journey!