Summary: Radiofrequency ablation gives low back pain relief that lasts about 30 weeks on average. In recent years it has become a safer, minimally invasive way to manage the condition. Low back pain hits most people at some point in their lives. It is hard to manage and can need long treatment and even surgery.
Low back pain is a common and disabling condition that affects millions worldwide. It can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain. It can get in the way of daily life, sleep, and quality of life. Low back pain often comes from causes such as muscle strains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis. It has usually been treated with a mix of pain medicine, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery. But drugs for low back pain can cause side effects and may not work for everyone. And over-reliance on drugs can lead to dependence, which makes them hard to stop. In recent years, drug-free ways to manage low back pain have become very popular. They work, and their risk of side effects is fairly low. These include physical therapy, exercise, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure. It uses heat to turn off the nerves that send pain from the area. It has been shown to give long-term relief for low back pain. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for low back pain has a fairly short but fast-moving history. RFA for pain was first used in the late 1980s, at first for cancer pain. Over time, it spread to many painful conditions, including low back pain. The first use of RFA for low back pain was reported in the 1990s. Since then, its use has grown fast. RFA uses radiofrequency energy to heat and destroy the specific nerves that carry pain signals. It can be done as an outpatient procedure and usually does not need general anesthesia. Since it was introduced, many clinical studies have shown that RFA for low back pain works and is safe. It gives long-term relief to many patients with low back pain. It is seen as a safe and effective option instead of more invasive procedures such as surgery. Still, because its use keeps growing, it needs more and ongoing study. Its use for low back pain has more than doubled in the last decade. A new study by researchers at the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, has confirmed it is an excellent treatment for the condition. The study looked at 232 patients with a history of opioid use. They had severe low back pain, and many had already tried other treatments. Radiofrequency ablation cut pain by 76.6% on average, for about 30 weeks on average. Patients’ function also improved by 83%. There is no doubt it gives excellent, long-lasting pain relief. But know that the pain comes back in most patients. How it comes back differs. Some report a slow return of the pain, and others a sudden one. The researchers concluded that because low back pain is so common, radiofrequency ablation might be used as an effective treatment that gives about 30 weeks of relief in most cases. Researchers are also looking for ways to make the relief last longer. So in the future, it may help for even longer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the success rate of radiofrequency ablation for back pain?
A University of Florida study looked at 232 patients with severe low back pain and a history of opioid use. Radiofrequency ablation cut pain by 76.6% on average, and relief lasted about 30 weeks. Function improved by 83%. Many of these patients had already tried other treatments for their back pain before the procedure.
How long does radiofrequency ablation last for lower back pain?
About 30 weeks on average in the study covered here. After that, the pain comes back in most patients. Some notice it creeping back slowly. Others find it comes back all at once. Researchers are now looking for ways to make the relief from one procedure last longer.
How does radiofrequency ablation work for lower back pain?
Radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency energy to heat and turn off the specific nerves that carry pain signals from the painful part of the back. It is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. It does not usually need general anesthesia. It was first used for cancer pain in the late 1980s and for low back pain in the 1990s.
What is the downside of radiofrequency ablation?
The main downside is that the relief is not permanent. In the study covered here, pain came back in most patients after about 30 weeks, sometimes slowly and sometimes all at once. Even so, clinical studies show the procedure is safe and effective. It is seen as an option instead of more invasive procedures such as surgery.
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Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
