Redding
Anesthesia Associates Medical Group
Therapeutic Pain Management
Medical Clinic
[ Home
|
Pain Clinic
| Physicians | Frequently Asked Questions | Redding
| Privacy Policy ]
Radio Frequency Lesioning FAQs
(Radio Frequency Ablations or Neurotomy)
The following Frequently Asked Questions and the answers are for the Radio Frequency Lesioning. The following material is given as general information only, and is not to be considered as medical advice or consultation.
What is a Radio Frequency Lesioning?
Am I a candidate for Radio Frequency
Lesioning?
Currently at TPM, Radio Frequency Lesioning is offered to patients with:
RSD/CRPS/SMP involving upper or lower extremities
Mechanical neck or low back pain due to facet joint disease
Occipital neuralgia
Abdominal (visceral) pain responsive to splanchnic nerve blocks.You must have responded well to local anesthetic blocks, to be a candidate for Radio Frequency Lesioning.
What are the benefits of Radio Frequency Lesioning?
How long does the procedure take?
Depending upon the areas to be treated, the procedure can take from about twenty
minutes to a couple of hours.
Where is the procedure performed?
How is it actually performed?
When the needle is in good position, as confirmed by x-ray, electrical stimulation is done before any lesioning. This stimulation may produce a buzzing or tingling or pressure sensation or may be like hitting your "funny bone". You may also feel your muscles jump. You need to be awake during this part of the procedure so you can report what youre feeling. The tissues surrounding the needle tip are then heated when electronic current is passed using the Radio Frequency machine, for a few seconds. This "numbs" the nerves semi-permanently.
Will the procedure hurt?
Will I be "put out" for this procedure?
How is the procedure performed?
It is done either with the patient lying on the stomach when working on the facet joints,
low back for lumbar sympathetic nerves, and in sitting position when lesioning the cervical (neck)
area. The patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff,
and blood oxygen-monitoring device. The skin on the back is cleaned with antiseptic
solution and then the procedure is carried out. X-ray (fluoroscopy) is used to guide the
needles.
What should I expect after the
procedure and what are the side effects?
Initially there will be muscle soreness for up to a week afterward. Ice packs will usually
control this discomfort. After the first two weeks are over, your pain may be gone or quite
less. Some patients may have some "deep sun-burn" type feeling. Some
may develop hypersensitivity or burning pain or numb areas for a few weeks.
After lesioning of the 3rd Occipital nerve (for headaches), some of the patients
may develop dizziness or vertigo for a few days. The relief of pain is
noticed in about 2 to 3 weeks, not right away.
What should I do after the procedure?
Can I go to work to work the next day?
How long will the effects of the procedure last?
How many procedures do I need to have?
Will the Radio Frequency Lesioning help me?
What are the risks ?
Who should not have this procedure?
[ Home
|
Pain Clinic
| Physicians | Frequently Asked Questions | Redding
| Privacy Policy ]
Send
mail to
CompanyWebmaster
with questions or comments about this web site.
COPYRIGHT © 1998-2006 Therapeutic Pain Management
Medical Clinic /
RAAMG
No part of this document may be reproduced in
any form without the written consent
from
CompanyWebmaster
Last Updated:
Tuesday, February 09, 2010