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Radiofrequency Ablation for Arthritis: Could It Help Your Pain?

Creaky Joints reports on using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat pain from osteoarthritis in the spine and knee.

"RFA is effective because it numbs the targeted joint by burning the nerves to the painful joint," says Alice Chen, MD, physiatrist at HSS. "The radiofrequency waves transmitted through the needle tip causes the nerve to be inactivated. The nerves can grow back, though, so the effects of the procedure will last approximately six months long."

In order to avoid adverse side effects, it's best to go to a physician who performs RFA regularly. "Care needs to be taken to isolate the nerve being targeted so that the correct nerve is targeted, and the nerve is completely denatured," Dr. Chen says. "Inadequate ablation may result in increased pain or altered sensation."

Read the full article at CreakyJoints.org.