Hey everyone. Yesterday I posted about my story with RF Spine Ablation. So I decided to do a generalized update on what it is.

What is it?
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to manage chronic back or neck pain. Using heat generated by radio waves, doctors target specific nerves in the spine that are sending pain signals to the brain. By “burning” (ablating) these tiny nerve endings, the pain signals are disrupted, leading to longer-term relief.

What does it treat?
RF ablation is most commonly used for:

• Facet joint pain (arthritis or degeneration in the joints of the spine)
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Mechanical low back pain not responding to conservative treatments
• Conditions like spondyloarthritis or Bertolotti Syndrome, where abnormal bone/joint structures are pressing on the nerves or somehow causing chronic pain

Who is a candidate?

• People who have chronic back or neck pain (usually lasting 6+ months)
• Patients who have responded positively to multiple diagnostic injections (these test whether the targeted nerves are really the source of pain)
• Those for whom medications, physical therapy, and other conservative treatments haven’t provided enough relief (usually the first thing doctors make you try even before the diagnostic injections).

Symptoms that may point to RF ablation as an option:

• Persistent, aching pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or neck
• Pain that worsens when twisting or bending
• Pain relief after “test” injections into the facet or sacroiliac joints

What is the procedure like?

• Usually done under local anesthetic with mild sedation
• A thin needle is guided (with X-ray or ultrasound) to the target nerve
• Electrical stimulation is done first to confirm the needle isn’t near a major motor nerve
• Heat (around 80–90°C) is applied for about 60–90 seconds to ablate the nerve
• The process may be repeated at multiple sites, depending on pain distribution

Recovery process:

• Most people go home the same day unless there was a severe complication related/unrelated to the Ablation.
• Some soreness or muscle spasms at the procedure site are common for 1–2 weeks
• Pain relief often improves gradually over 2–3 months
• Relief typically lasts 6–18 months, sometimes longer, before nerves regrow
• Light activity can usually be resumed within days; more strenuous activity (like sports) only after physician clearance

Benefits:

• Significant reduction in chronic pain without the need for frequent injections or heavy medication
• Improved mobility — walking, bending, sitting become easier
• Better overall quality of life

Things to keep in mind:

• RF ablation doesn’t cure the underlying condition — it interrupts the pain cycle
• It may need to be repeated once nerves regenerate
• It doesn’t help all types of back pain — only pain proven to come from facet or sacroiliac nerves

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Takeaway: If you live with chronic back or neck pain and have found temporary relief from spinal injections, RF ablation may be worth discussing with your doctor. It’s not a cure, but it can provide meaningful, longer-lasting relief for many patients.