Radiofrequency Denervation Injections

It is a procedure where nerve fibres that supply the painful facet joints are deliberately destroyed by heat. This nerve is called the “medial branch” and its only job is to supply the facet joint with sensation. When the facet joint is injured, degenerative or inflamed it is this nerve that creates the pain.

The doctor targets a very small amount of heat using radiofrequency probes, onto the “medial branch” nerve that supplies the facet joints that they found to be causing the pain via the Medial Branch Blocks. It essentially ‘blocks’ the nerve from being able to provide sensation and pain. You can be confident that this does not affect any other part of the body.

Radiofrequency denervation is used to treat and provide long term relief from adverse symptoms caused by degeneration or injury to the facet joints and surrounding ligaments. Before the doctor can offer you radiofrequency denervation, you will need to have an initial diagnostic procedure called a medial branch block to ensure the correct area is being targeted and the treatment will bring you the best results! Research has shown that patients who have a successful medial branch block are over 80% likely to respond well to denervation treatments, with 18-36 months of relief, or even longer!

At your initial consultation, the doctor will take time to understand your symptoms and undertake a thorough assessment to ensure the treatment is right for you. As previously mentioned, before a denervation treatment you will have already undergone a diagnostic medial branch block procedure.

It is important to let the doctor know of any metal work within your body.

Please let the doctor know of any known allergies, such as plasters and to inform us if you are pregnant. Please also let the doctor know if you have any medical conditions and take any regular medications including blood thinning medications. This is also a great opportunity to ask the doctor any questions

The doctor will explain everything to you before your procedure and ask you to sign a consent form to confirm that you are happy to proceed.

All spinal injections are performed using our high-tech fluoroscopic x-ray for guidance and precision, by using this image guidance for accuracy and safety, the doctor can be confident the specific joint or joints are identified and the treatment can be delivered to the nerves that supply pain and sensation from the joint.

A local anaesthetic will be injected into the skin to make the procedure more comfortable for you. The doctor will then place the needle and radiofrequency probe (which is the size of a very thin needle!) next to the affected nerve, and a micro-electrode is placed within the needle – allowing exact placement to be achieved. Your doctor will then do a small test to identify if the correct nerves are being targeted, during which you may feel a tingling or pulsing sensation.

Once the placement has been confirmed, more local anaesthetic will be used to allow the denervation to be completed comfortably, and a small current is passed through the electrode. The heat will cause the nerves to be ineffective at sending pain signals to the brain, this takes approximately 90 seconds and the results can last for several years!

In total the procedure lasts around 60 minutes, with a review of your blood pressure post procedure. It is recommended that you have someone to drive you home after the treatment.

It is not uncommon to experience a temporary worsening of symptoms for the first 24-48 hours post procedure, as the local anaesthetic wears off. You will begin to feel the benefit of your treatment at around 5-14 days and it can take around 6 weeks for the full effect of the denervation to be realised. During this time, you can resume exercising if comfortable doing so.

Radiofrequency denervation can provide significant long term relief, it is expected that you will experience at least 18 months of relief from your symptoms, however many patients have experienced numerous years of pain relief!