AANA June 2024 Journal Course: The Application of Radiofrequency Ablation in Acute and Chronic Pain Management-The Application of Radiofrequency Ablation in Acute and Chronic Pain Management

The Application of Radiofrequency Ablation in Acute and Chronic Pain Management

Pdf Summary

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure utilizing radiofrequency waves to disrupt pain impulses, providing pain relief in chronic pain conditions like back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and cancer-related pain. Different variations of RFA, including continuous RFA, pulsed RFA, and cooled RFA, allow for a wide range of applications to target specific nerves without damaging surrounding tissues. Studies show RFA's efficacy in reducing pain intensity and improving function in conditions like temporomandibular disorders (TMD), chronic back pain, spinal metastases, and chronic knee osteoarthritis. Patient selection and adherence to safety protocols are crucial considerations. Further research is needed to establish standards for different RFA techniques and optimize treatment parameters for various pain conditions. Overall, RFA is considered a safe and effective option for managing chronic pain, with long-term benefits in pain relief and functional improvement.

Keywords

Radiofrequency ablation

RFA

minimally invasive procedure

pain relief

chronic pain conditions

specific nerves

safety protocols

temporomandibular disorders

functional improvement

treatment parameters