Cold radio frequency therapy is a minimally-invasive solution designed to ease knee arthritis pain by interfering with nerve signals that cause it. TGA-approved, it has proven its efficacy over a 12-month period.
Cooled radiofrequency allows physicians to create larger lesions than with traditional RFA, without overheating surrounding tissue and risking further nerve damage. This provides for more precise treatments of pain-causing nerves while protecting surrounding tissue from damage.
Benefits
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat from radiofrequency waves to kill tissue in targeted areas. The heat damages cells within the target area, prompting your body to naturally eliminate dead tissue. Radiofrequency ablation therapy may be suitable for patients seeking surgical interventions without wanting surgery, as well as for treating conditions which do not respond well to traditional therapies or are resistant to treatment options such as cryoablation – both minimally invasive methods that kill tissue by freezing it off.
Under this technique, a probe-equipped device is inserted into tissue and super-cooled down to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit with liquid nitrogen or argon; then its tip touches its target tissue where small ice crystals form on contact, disabling it permanently. This procedure has been successfully utilized to treat various medical conditions, such as some forms of heart arrhythmia as well as endometrial ablation for women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding.
Cooled radiofrequency ablation (cool RF), a subset of this technique used for pain management, is typically applied to facet nerves using a smaller needle equipped with insulation and featuring a cooling mechanism by way of water circulation around its electrode tip – helping prevent excessive charring while delivering more energy directly to nerves without harming adjacent tissues. Cool RF has been proven effective at managing pain through numerous clinical studies, providing patients with significant relief through this procedure.
In a hip-specific study, cooled RF was shown to be as effective as conventional thermal RFA in treating lumbar facet pain. This could be attributed to its ability to deliver more energy than its thermal RFA counterpart and create larger lesions which deactivated more pain-transmitting nerves than its traditional counterpart.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cooled RF in treating back and neck conditions such as chronic neck pain, osteoarthritis of the spine (also known as spondylosis) and lower back pain. Ablated tissue blocks the transmission of pain signals from affected joints for significant pain relief.
Side Effects
Thermal energy waves are used to heat and destroy small sections of nerve tissue, thus blocking pain signals from being transmitted to your brain. RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require general anesthesia; most patients can return home the same day. RFA can be used to treat an array of back and neck ailments including facet joint pain.
As part of an RFA treatment, we will begin by cleansing and injecting local anesthetic at the injection site to numb it. Next, under X-ray guidance we will insert our needle/probe into its appropriate spot with an attached insulated probe; RF energy will then pass through this conductor needle while its insulating tip prevents heating other nerves unintended by this therapy.
Once your RF needle is in position, you may experience a tingling sensation as the doctor begins activating it. Once satisfied that all numbing medications have been properly administered, he or she will activate his/her RF machine; you should experience a pulsing sensation at your treatment site; should any muscle twitching arise inappropriately then your physician may need to reposition the needle accordingly.
As part of the procedure, you will be asked to answer a series of questions while the machine stimulates. This ensures that the numbing medication has reached the intended nerves. If any discomfort or pain arises during this stage, the doctor can adjust RF power accordingly until you are no longer experiencing discomfort.
Once we are done with treatment, we will apply a cold spray to your skin and cover its insertion point with a bandage dressing that you will be able to remove the following day. It is important to refrain from engaging in physical activities for several days after having received therapy, rest, and drink plenty of water and consume a healthy diet in order to expedite recovery.
Preparation
Cooled radio frequency ablation (CRFA) is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses heat energy to destroy nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from knee joints. CRFA may be performed under local anesthesia and typically takes less than 30minutes as outpatient treatment.
CRFA differs from conventional radiofrequency ablation by using a cooling medium circulating through its electrode, thus avoiding excessive heating of nearby tissue and minimizing complications. Furthermore, using higher radiofrequency energy levels allows for optimal disruption of aberrant pain signaling pathways without extensive thermal damage.
During this procedure, you will be asked to lie on your back with legs bent and hips open. A small insulated needle will then be inserted under your skin over the nerve being targeted; an anesthetic will then be administered and guided directly towards its destination using fluoroscopic guidance.
Radiofrequency generators will then use electrical current to heat specific nerves. A cooled needle protects nearby tissues and nerves from excessive heat exposure, potentially providing permanent pain relief with reduced dependence on opioid medication.
After an RF treatment is complete, the electrode will be taken out and covered with a clean band-aid dressing to avoid infection or potential complications. Any signs of infection or potential issues will also be monitored closely in this phase.
Before any procedure, you will be provided with detailed instructions regarding what foods and beverages to consume or avoid prior to your appointment. In some instances, it may even be advised that you remain NPO for a set period before your scheduled procedure date. It’s essential that you strictly abide by these directives so as to prevent complications or discomfort during your procedure.
On the day of your procedure, you should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing – in some instances a hospital gown – but may need to change into it for certain procedures. Also arrange transportation from and to your facility, if having anxiolysis or sedation as part of it as someone will need to drive you home afterwards.
Recovery
Cold Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is an alternative to surgery that provides relief for chronic pain patients. While surgery removes tissue, ablation destroys abnormal cells by heating cells at either high or low temperatures or using radiofrequency waves to interrupt pain signals in nerve fibers.
C-RFA involves administering a mild intravenous sedative through an intravenous needle in order to keep you relaxed but awake during treatment. Once the medication has taken effect, your physician will clean out the injection site and use x-ray guidance to locate any nerve or tissue issues in need of attention. Once found, they’ll insert an electrode-tipped hollow needle containing electrical current which produces radio waves capable of burning or destroying targeted nerves or tissues. Your physician will closely monitor this procedure for signs of adverse effects and may ask you to change positions or breathe deeply if heat builds up as heat builds from radio wave treatment.
The process usually lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and during that time you may experience sensations like tingling or buzzing that need to be addressed by additional medications to alleviate pain or side effects of treatment. Your physician can be reached with any concerns you might have during this time and additional solutions will be given in order to reduce them as much as possible.
Once your procedure has taken place, you will be asked to take it easy for a couple days following it. If your job requires heavy standing or lifting, consider asking for help or shifting duties until the swelling decreases. Wear compression stockings or bandages as instructed during this period to further ease any swelling and avoid applying direct pressure to treated areas; report any instances of numbness or coolness in toes which could indicate blood clot formation immediately to your doctor.
RFA comes in several varieties, including thermal, cooled and pulsed treatments. Thermal and cooled RFA utilize a continuous stream of heat energy to target problem areas while pulsed RFA delivers short bursts of radiofrequency energy that cause less tissue coagulation or tissue damage – this form of RFA may be beneficial when treating neuropathies like CRPS or trigeminal neuralgia pain.
