What is radio frequency denervation: a description of the method and feedback

Frequent back pains are often the result of pathological changes in ligaments, muscles, intervertebral discs and joints.

Degeneration of the latter can cause severe pain in the lumbar region.

It is suggested that spondyloarthrosis( one of the forms of osteoarthritis) is one of the main causes of pain syndrome( a chronic symptom of a disease).

This disease gradually destroys the joints of the spine.

In addition to anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant therapy, radiofrequency denervation of the facet joints is performed.

The most common joint disease is osteoarthritis, which is the cause of many pains. This is due to a decrease in human mobility, an increase in the impact of various infectious diseases and obesity.

It is possible to trace the dependence of the prevalence of joint pathology on age: the older the person, the more likely it is.

techniques Description

denervation( facetedrhizotomy) is called sparing operation on the spine.

It allows to carry out blocking( destruction) of nerve endings, which give signals to the brain about painful sensations.

Radio-frequency denervation is based on the passage through the body tissues of a patient with high-frequency currents. They go to the nerve endings and destroy them.

The principle of operation is to allocate a large amount of heat energy when passing electricity through biological tissues.

The non-isolated end of the electrode is placed in the anatomical location of the nerve end, and when the current is applied, it begins to kill.

The use of the method has become quite widespread over the ocean and is used for a wide range of diseases.

Effective for patients with a significant degree of operational risk.

Indications for the procedure

The main indications for the use of facet rhizotomy are:

• intercostal neuralgia - squeezing of the intercostal nerves, accompanied by severe back pain;
• unstable effect after conservative treatment;
• arthrosis of intervertebral joints - manifests itself in the form of severe back pain due to a violation of the normal relationship of the surfaces of the joints;
• severe discomfort in the spine for six months or more.

The use of the operation is not always permissible.

The contraindications to the procedure are:

• local or generalized infection;
• marked neurological symptoms;
• tumor formation.

Also it should not be used if the positive outcome of the operation is prevented by a certain neurological symptomatology. Therefore, a mandatory examination is performed before the operation.

If these symptoms are present, conservative therapies should be used.

Examination before operation

Preoperative examination includes:

• the conclusion of a neurologist;
• blood test;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• blood test for hepatitis, HIV, RW;
• general urinalysis;
• radiography of the lungs;
• electrocardiogram.

Progress of operation

On the eve of the procedure the patient arrives at the clinic in the evening, or on the day of the operation.

After registering, he enters the neurosurgical department. Preparation for the upcoming intervention is carried out according to the general rules of the clinic.

The patient is not allowed to eat 10 hours before the procedure. After surgery, he is transferred to the ward for a short time.

An operation is performed under local anesthesia. This is especially important for the elderly. Therefore, the surgeon closely monitors the patient's indications, producing X-ray control.

Procedure steps:

1. The operation itself begins with the introduction of a special needle into the space between the discs on the side of the spinal column.
2. Then, when the needle is installed, you can connect electrodes to it. They are fed with ultrahigh-frequency current. Its frequency varies from 2 to 100 Hz.
3. The nerve due to the high temperature of the heated needle is effectively cauterized.

The procedure is performed using local anesthesia. The main condition is the complete immobility of the patient. Thanks to this introduction of electrodes will be as accurate as possible.

Radiofrequency destruction is performed using a needle that is placed in a neural tissue that is to be destroyed.

It is heated by current due to the resistance of surrounding soft tissues. The electrode, in turn, constantly measures their temperature.

Signals from it fall on the radio frequency generator. It, in turn, does not allow the temperature to exceed the set value.

The medical control during the operation is maximum, so complications do not arise.

Manipulation lasts about 20 minutes. After her, the patient is still in hospital for some time( 1.5-2 hours).

Result and effectiveness of the

procedure Due to the minimally invasive nature( gentle nature), the procedure minimizes the trauma caused in its course.

As a result of this intervention, the pain completely disappears. The effectiveness of the operation is about 85%.

Compliance with the advice of the attending physician before and after the procedure guarantees no relapse of symptoms and safe recovery from back problems:

• complete disappearance, or reduction of pain immediately after the intervention;
• has a long-lasting effect, the duration of which from a couple of months can reach several years.

No complications were reported after the operation. Without exerting harmful effects on the body, the operation is practiced at the Pirogov Center for Microsurgery.

After the operation, you need to limit the load on the spine.

Only in this case, radio frequency denervation of facet joints will provide a positive effect for many years. Being a simple and effective method of treatment, she gave joy to the life of many people.

Recovery after surgery

The postoperative period lasts about 1.5 months. In some cases, there is a delayed effect. This may be due to the rearrangement of synoptic hindbusts of the spinal cord.

After exercise, exercise is limited to a minimum. Also prescribed is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Special rehabilitation measures are not required.

The procedure is safe and painless.

The practice of rhizotomy demonstrates the safety of the procedures performed. Complications for the entire period of its use was not observed.

Intervention is not harmful to the body due to the inability to affect any system and tissue, except nerve endings.

Expert opinion

Medical workers in their responses confirm the effectiveness of the method, that's what one of the doctors of the well-known Russian clinic of minimally invasive surgery says about radio frequency denervation: "Our own observations confirm the effectiveness of the analgesic procedures performed."

Also, experienced specialists say that a thorough diagnostic test is required before the procedure.

Elimination of the pain syndrome is possible due to conservative methods of treatment. In the case of their effectiveness, it is not necessary to talk about denervation.

Also at the first stages of fighting back pain, a diagnostic blockade of the destruction zone( the focus of the irritated nerve end) is used.

The patient's feedback comes down to grateful recommendations.

Cost of operation

In Russia, the operation is performed by the specialists of the clinic. Pirogov. The procedure is also performed by specialists of the Russian-Israeli Center for Minimally Invasive Joint and Spine Surgery Re-Clinic.

Depending on the intricacies of the operation, the cost of consumables and one-off tools, the price of radio-frequency denervation can vary from 5 to 55 thousand rubles .

The postoperative period is characterized by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the patient should not load the spine.

Facet rhizotomy is a modern and effective method to combat pain in the back.