Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Non-Surgical Procedure to Stop Pain Signals

The body creates pain to let you know when something is wrong. Unfortunately, not all problems can be fixed immediately. This leads to nonstop pain sensations. In order to fix this problem, the signals sent out from the damaged nerve need to be stopped. Radiofrequency neurotomy is one of the treatments that can accomplish this.

In radiofrequency neurotomy, a needle is placed near the damaged nerves in the facet joints. This needle releases thermal energy to deaden the nerve and stop the pain signals.

Is This Treatment Right for Me?

Radiofrequency neurotomy is only used to treat pain stemming from the facet joints. Therefore, your doctor needs to be certain that the facet joints are the source of your pain before recommending it. In many cases, facet syndrome is confirmed with a facet joint injection procedure.

Radiofrequency neurotomy is performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, plus another 30 minutes of rest afterward. Your back may be sore for the next couple of days, so it is recommended you take this time to rest and relax. The pain relief should begin within 2 weeks of the procedure and last between 6 to 12 months. Some patients have reported results that lasted for longer than two years.