Radio-Frequency Lesioning

Radio-Frequency Lesioning

Patients with back or neck pain that have had pain relief with a facet nerve block but have failed to have long-term relief are candidates for Radio-Frequency Lesioning.

Radio-Frequency Lesioning involves the partial destruction or long-term block of small nerves.  The targeted facet nerves are small nerves that branch out from larger spinal nerves exiting the spine. These nerves contain mostly sensory information for the facet joint. These are not the nerves involved with movement or sensation of the extremities.

The procedure is performed in Dr. Bender's office. This procedure is technically similar to the facet blocks; however, a special radio-frequency probe is used instead of a needle.

A fluoroscopy machine (x-ray imagery) is used to guide the radio-frequency probe to the facet nerve that is going to be treated.  The nerve is then stimulated to ensure proper placement of the probe.  This stimulation does not cause pain and the patient will only feel a very slight pressure sensation.

Dr. Bender then stimulates the nerves to the muscles again to ensure proper placement of the radio-frequency probe. The nerve is then numbed with a local anesthetic so the patient will not feel the treatment.  The radio-frequency unit is then used to generate a heat lesion directed at the nerve tissue. This treatment will not cause permanent nerve damage.

Current medical literature suggests that in addition to creating a heat lesion of the nerve, this treatment will also block the pain signals at the spinal cord level, preventing the perception of pain. Ideally, the persistent muscle spasms are resolved and normal muscle strength is restored, providing optimal function of the spinal tissue.
            
Many patients experience relief immediately following the procedure. However, due to possible injection soreness, some patients do not realize relief for up to two weeks. In medical studies, this procedure provides six months of relief, but in my clinical experience, my patients have had on average twelve months of relief.