Lumbar Facet Joint Radiofrequency Ablation
What is a Lumbar Medial Branch radiofrequency neurotomy?
Facet or zygo-apophyseal joints are small joints between the bones (vertebrae). These joints can have wear and tear, or be injured, and become the source of persistent low back pain. A medial branch block involves the injection of local anaesthetic close to the nerves (medial branches) that supply the facet joints. It is a gold standard diagnostic injection and any pain relief obtained is temporary. This is performed to establish if, and which, facet joints are the source of your back pain.
Once you get a good pain relief with the diagnostic injection, the medial branches can then be heated upto 70-80 degrees Celsius to provide long-term pain relief. This procedure is known as radiofrequency ablation of the lumbar facet joint.
How is Radiofrequency facet joint denervation (Radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy) done?
If you have had a good response (pain relief >50%) after diagnostic medial branch blocks, radiofrequency medial branch ablations could be the option for you. At Atlas Pain Care, Coimbatore, this involves inserting a radiofrequency cannula (fine needles) in your back under X-ray control and passing tiny electric currents through the needle to identify the small nerves. The nerves are then heated up to 60-70 degree Celsius to stun them into silence. Pain relief after this procedure lasts for up 2 years. If and when the pain comes back the same procedure could be repeated successfully.
How long would the pain relief last for?
Pain relief after this procedure lasts for more than a year, and sometimes upto 3 years.
What are the complications of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy?
It is a relatively safe procedure with minimal side effects like soreness or bruising where the injection was given. This usually settles in a few days. Please read our FAQ section to know more about the do's and don'ts prior to and after the procedure.