• Only for pain from facet joint

Radiofrequency (joint denervation/ ablation): heats up the nerve supplying the facet joint 9 that is causing the pain), with the intention to cut off the nerve supply to the painful facet joint. Radiofrequency can be done and repeated to a max of 2 / year, 6 months apart, if pain relief >50% is sustained for atleast 3-4 months. They should only be performed for / when:

Your pain is severe and there is no/ minimal pain relief after medicines and 6 weeks of medically directed Exercises (including physical therapy, Doctor’s office given exercises or physical therapy), unless pain worsens, or your Doctor has a reason why they could not be done. This is needed even after failed back surgery.

Your exam shows that the pain may likely be from facet joint problems

Rest of your symptoms, exam, tests do not show other causes or they have been treated

Facet joint injections showed that atleast majority of the pain has been relieved

Radiofrequency should not be performed when:

allergic reactions to substances used in procedure; leg pain/ numbness/ tingling; facet joint injection did not show good response; for any nerve other than the medial branch nerve

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