You may be a candidate for radiofrequency ablation if you have chronic pain that has not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, rest, or activity modification. RFA is commonly considered for patients with ongoing back, neck, knee, or joint pain caused by irritated nerves, facet joint arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or certain spine-related conditions.
Before recommending radiofrequency ablation, your pain specialist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine where your pain is coming from. This may include a physical exam, medical history review, imaging, and diagnostic injections. In many cases, a diagnostic nerve block is used first to confirm that the targeted nerves are responsible for your pain. If you experience meaningful temporary relief from the nerve block, RFA may be an appropriate next step.
You may be a good candidate for RFA if:
- Your pain has lasted for several months
- Your symptoms have not improved enough with non-surgical care
- Your pain is linked to facet joints, arthritis, or nerve-related pain signals
- A diagnostic injection provides temporary pain relief
- You want a minimally invasive option before considering surgery
- Your pain limits walking, working, driving, sleeping, or performing daily activities
Radiofrequency ablation may not be right for every patient. People with certain infections, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled medical conditions, or other health concerns may need a different treatment approach. At Greater Austin Pain Center, our team will review your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment history to determine whether RFA is a safe and appropriate option for your chronic pain.
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