Radiofrequency Ablation

If you’re suffering from pain after an accident, it’s important to act quickly. Otherwise, you run the risk of dealing with chronic pain for the rest of your life. The good news is you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Our Oklahoma City car accident doctors at ImpactMD Accident Care offer a wide range of medical services, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Whether you’re unsure about what RFA is or you’re curious about what treatment might look like for you, you can count on our team to be there for you. From immediate post-accident injury relief to long-term pain management, we possess the skills you need for a swift and effective recovery. We have experience working with attorneys and insurers on these more complex cases. Contact our team at 405-483-3075 to learn more about how we can help you.

What Is Radiofrequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that treats chronic pain by deactivating pain-transmitting nerves. By disrupting the signals certain nerve fibers are sending to your brain, the procedure can provide long-lasting relief.

RFA is recognized as a highly effective long-term pain management technique, as it can provide relief for anywhere from six months to over a year. It also offers easy pain relief and a convenient recovery, which makes it an attractive option for patients experiencing lasting pain after an accident. 

It’s not uncommon for patients to feel this lingering pain even after their initial injuries have healed. Our job at ImpactMD Accident Care is to target the source of these unwanted reminders of your injuries, so you can go on to live a normal life.

RFA can be used for different types of car accident injuries, including:

• Back pain
• Facial pain
• Head pain
• Herniated discs
• Joint pain
• Neck pain
• Neuropathic pain conditions
• Peripheral nerve pain
• Whiplash

By working with the medical professionals at ImpactMD Accident Care, you can rest assured you’re choosing the right recovery plan for yourself. Additionally, we can collaborate with your attorney and any insurance providers involved in the process to ensure you don’t have to navigate the more complex aspects.

How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?

RFA blocks pain-transmitting nerves to prevent signals from being sent to your brain. This is achieved by heating the nerve tissue with radio waves to deactivate it. The process is minimally invasive, requiring only a small hollow needle to be inserted into the nerve.

An electrode on that needle sends the radio waves to the damaged nerve, creating a lesion that blocks the pain signals from getting to your brain. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area before the needle is inserted.

The process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on the number of areas being treated. Recovery is fairly straightforward. You may experience some soreness for a few days and will likely want to rest.

When to Choose Radiofrequency Ablation

There are different types of ablation procedures available depending on the nature of your injuries. You can undergo this treatment after a diagnostic nerve block, provided you are a qualified candidate.

Patients with arthritis or any ongoing joint pain in their back, hips, knees, neck, or shoulders can often benefit from RFA. They must be experiencing this pain for at least six months before they can qualify for treatment. Moreover, they must take a nerve blocker to confirm that the pain is originating in the nerves.

Can Anyone Receive Radiofrequency Ablation Treatments?

RFA is ideal for chronic pain that hasn’t gotten better with medicine and physical therapy. If you experience pain relief after receiving a nerve block injection, it can be indicative that you’re a good candidate for RFA since the pain is originating in the nerve. However, you may not be a candidate if you’re pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, or have an infection.

Talk to Our Board-Certified Doctors Today

There are plenty of treatment plan options to handle lasting pain after an injury, and it’s up to you to determine the right path to recovery for yourself. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive technique that can help people manage their pain after an accident, but is it the right option for you? If you’re still unsure, we can help.

At ImpactMD Accident Care, we go above and beyond to secure you the medical treatment you need without adding extra stress to your plate. If you’re ready to learn more, call us at 405-483-3075 to schedule a consultation with our team today.