Radiofrequency Treatment
Learn more about various pain treatments and methods for diagnosing pain.
Overview
Degenerative arthritic back pain is common and increases with age. Aging, poor posture, and physical strain can cause degenerative processes in the spine, often affecting the facet joints and leading to chronic neck and back pain. Many people in Switzerland suffer from this issue, which is often inadequately treated with physiotherapy and pain medication. Radiofrequency therapy can significantly improve pain control and quality of life for affected individuals. It can reduce the need for pain medication and potentially delay or even help avoid back surgery
Mechanism of Thermal Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency treatment is used globally in various medical fields and is a crucial therapy option in pain medicine. The goal of radiofrequency treatment is to target small nerves, known as medial branch nerves, which sensitize the painful facet joints. These medial branches are selectively ablated using radiofrequency. A special radiofrequency needle is minimally invasively placed at the medial branch under X-ray or ultrasound guidance. Then, radiofrequency current is delivered through this needle to the nerve tissue, causing heat development and ultimately ablating the medial branch.
Prerequisite: Positive Test Injections
Radiofrequency therapies should be performed according to the quality standards of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS), formerly SIS. An important prerequisite for deciding to perform radiofrequency treatment is two positive diagnostic test injections performed in the area of the medial branch to be treated. The diagnostic blockade is referred to as a diagnostic MBB (Medial Branch Blockade).
Efficacy and Duration
With correct indication and positive test injections, a radiofrequency treatment of the medial branch usually results in a significant pain reduction of 60 to 80% for a period of 6 to 12 months. Later, the pain may gradually return, making a repeat radiofrequency treatment necessary. This recurrence of pain is explained by the re-innervation of the facet joints.
Key Success Factor: Physiotherapy
A successful radiofrequency treatment is significantly supported by subsequent physiotherapy to achieve a lasting effect.
Side Effects and Complications
As with other pain medicine interventions, side effects and complications are generally very rare. Local pain may occur in the first 48 to 72 hours after radiofrequency therapy but typically subsides over time. The risk of infection or bleeding complications is minimal with careful preparation. Irreversible nerve damage is extremely rare (<1:10,000).
