Facet Denervation for Spinal Arthritis

TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN

Many people suffer from BACK PAIN which can follow injury or result from arthritis. Back pain following injury resolves in approximately 90% of patients within 6-7 weeks, regardless of treatment modality. For the remaining 10%, life can become a challenge.

There are many good approaches to the treatment of chronic back pain. Oral anti-inflammatories are often helpful. Muscle relaxants, if properly selected, can be useful, as well. Chiropractic care and Physical therapy will improve range of motion, and improve strength. Epidural Steroid Injections are helpful, in perhaps 30% of selected patients.

In those unfortunate people who undergo surgery, however, only 1/3 can be expected to improve, 1/3 will stay the same, and 1/3 will get worse. Common sense might dictate that surgery is best avoided, if relief of symptoms can be achieved in some other way.

One useful alternative to laminectomy, spinal fusion, and foramenotomy, is the technique of Radio Frequency (RF) Neuroablation. This technique involves the placement of a special needle into the portion of the bony spine that is causing pain. The needle tip is quickly heated, using RF current, which destroys small nerves that innervate the joint, bursa, or tendon. The nerves that are targeted are purely sensory, which is to say, provide sensation only, and destruction of these nerves alleviates the pain.

Patient selection is critical, and diagnosis must be precise, or pain relief is unlikely.

In experienced hands, successful relief can be expected in over 70% of patients treated with RF Neuroablation.