RFA For Arthritis And Joint Pain
Jun 16, 2020
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When it comes to arthritis, about 23% of adults in the US currently struggle with it and of those patients 25% report “severe pain.” That’s why Integrated Pain Consultants and “Top Doc” Dr. Seth’s team offer a suite of options for arthritis and.....
When it comes to arthritis, about 23% of adults in the US currently struggle with it and of those patients 25% report “severe pain.” That’s why Integrated Pain Consultants and “Top Doc” Dr. Seth’s team offer a suite of options for arthritis and joint pain management. One of the most popular is radiofrequency ablation, also known as RFA. It works by directing an electrical current from a radio wave to heat an area of nerve tissue on the body. The result is decreased pain signals from that particular nerve bundle.
RFA can treat patients struggling with a variety of pain from issues including arthritis, joint degeneration, low back pain, and neck pain. However, how much pain relief you’ll enjoy depends on the location and cause of the pain. How long pain relief lasts also varies, but it’s usually between 6 – 12 months. Some patients report years of pain relief, and over 70% of patients report some degree of pain relief from their RFA treatment.
Is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA( for You?
RFA has proven itself to be effective and safe for pain relief. There are minimal potential complications and it’s generally well tolerated by patients. The primary side effects of RFA include some discomfort during treatment as well as bruising and swelling that goes away after a couple of days. The best candidates are those suffering from the above-mentioned types of pain and who do not have bleeding issues or an active infection.
Your pain management doctor will tell you exactly how to prepare for your treatment. Patients should not eat for six hours prior to their treatment, and those using insulin will need to have an adjusted dose on the day of the treatment as recommended by their primary care physician. Patients will need somebody to drive them home after the appointment as a mild sedative is often given. Avoid driving, strenuous activities, and bathing (showers are okay) for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
Interested in learning more about RFA for your pain? Call Integrated Pain Consultants at (480) 626-2552 to book your consultation.