Radiofrequency ablation
RFA for pain management relief in oklahoma
Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers | Leading the Way in Minimally Invasive Pain Management
Discover Long-Lasting Relief with Radiofrequency Ablation
At Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, we understand how chronic arthritis pain can disrupt every aspect of your life—whether it's in your spine, knees, or neck. That’s why we proudly offer Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), an innovative, minimally invasive treatment that targets the root cause of arthritis pain: the nerves that transmit pain signals to your brain. Its is a safe and very effective means of pain management and performed by one of our top pain doctors at a location in Oklahoma City, Norman, Yukon or Weatherford.
Patients throughout Oklahoma City, Yukon, Westherford and Norman trust our experienced team of board-certified pain specialists to deliver safe and effective radiofrequency ablation services. Whether you’ve tried medications, physical therapy, or other treatments with little success, RFA may offer the lasting relief you’ve been hoping for—without the need for surgery.
👉 Learn more or schedule your consultation today by visiting OklahomaPainTreatmentCenters.com
What Is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a medical procedure that uses controlled heat produced by radiofrequency waves to disrupt the nerve signals responsible for chronic pain by essentially ablating the sensory nerves. This procedure is most often done in the spine by targeting the small sensory nerves (medial branch of the dorsal rami) that innervated the facet joint (also called the zygopophyseal joint). By applying this heat to specific nerves under image guidance, our physicians can "turn off" pain signals without damaging surrounding tissues.
RFA is most commonly used for patients suffering from:
Spinal arthritis (facet joint syndrome)
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
Knee arthritis (especially after joint degeneration or injury)
Hip joint arthritis
Chronic neck and lower back pain
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD)
Occipital neuralgia (pain at the base of the skull)
For most patients, radiofrequency ablation lasts between 12-18 months, but relief can continue up to 18 months in some cases, especially when done on the cervical spine.
Who Is a Candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation?
You may be a candidate for RFA if:
You have chronic neck, mid-back, or low back pain related to arthritis or facet joint degeneration.
You’ve experienced temporary relief from diagnostic or trial nerve blocks, which indicates that the targeted nerves are responsible for your pain.
You have knee due to arthritis and want a non-surgical option.
You’ve tried physical therapy, medications, chiropractic care, or other conservative treatments without success.
At Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, our physicians evaluate each patient carefully with clinical exams and diagnostic injections before proceeding with RFA. If a trial injection provides relief, you may be an ideal candidate for the procedure.
Why Do Patients Choose Radiofrequency Ablation?
RFA offers several key benefits that make it an appealing treatment option for people with arthritis-related or neuropathic pain:
✅ Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive
No incisions. No hospitalization. RFA is performed in-office or in an outpatient surgical suite, allowing you to go home the same day.
✅ Long-Lasting Pain Relief
Patients typically enjoy relief for 6–18 months or longer. If your pain returns, the procedure can be safely repeated.
✅ Reduced Need for Medications
By interrupting nerve signals directly, RFA may reduce or eliminate the need for opioid pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs.
✅ Improved Mobility and Quality of Life
Many patients report being able to return to work, exercise, sleep better, and resume daily activities they had previously avoided.
✅ Targeted and Personalized
RFA is only performed on nerves identified through prior testing, ensuring precision and effectiveness for your unique condition.
What to Expect: The Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
The RFA process is carefully planned and executed to ensure your safety and comfort.
Before the Procedure:
Diagnostic nerve block: Before undergoing RFA, you’ll have a diagnostic injection to confirm the pain is coming from specific nerves.
Pre-procedure instructions: You'll be given instructions about medications, fasting, and transportation if sedation is used.
During the Procedure:
You will lie comfortably in a treatment suite or operating room.
The skin will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
Under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a thin introducer needle is positioned near the targeted nerve.
A special radiofrequency electrode is placed through the needle.
Test stimulation is done to confirm the correct nerve—this may feel like a tingling or mild ache.
Once confirmed, a small area around the nerve is heated using radiofrequency energy, “stunning” or disrupting the nerve’s ability to transmit pain.
The entire procedure typically takes 5 to 7 minutes, depending on how many nerves are being treated.
After the Procedure: Recovery and Results
Most patients are able to go home the same day. If sedation was used, you’ll need someone to drive you home. You may experience:
Soreness or stiffness at the treatment site for 2–7 days
Mild bruising or swelling
Gradual onset of pain relief over the next 1 to 3 weeks
Post-Procedure Instructions:
Apply ice packs for soreness as needed
Avoid strenuous activities for 1–2 days
Resume normal activities as tolerated
Take over-the-counter medications for discomfort (unless advised otherwise)
Patients are typically back to work within 1–3 days, though recovery time may vary depending on your activity level and treatment location.
How Effective Is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Clinical research and patient outcomes show that 70%–80% of patients experience meaningful relief from their pain. The success of RFA depends on accurate diagnosis and proper technique, which is why it's critical to work with a team experienced in advanced pain management.
Our specialists at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers use cutting-edge imaging technology and anatomical expertise to maximize your results.
Conditions Treated with RFA at Our pain management Clinics
Our patients in Norman, Yukon, and Oklahoma City receive RFA for many painful conditions, including:
Cervical facet arthritis
Lumbar facet syndrome
Thoracic spinal pain
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Post-laminectomy syndrome (failed back surgery)
Chronic knee osteoarthritis
Occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headaches
Risks and Side Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation
While RFA is considered very safe, all procedures carry some risks but are very rare:
Temporary pain at the injection site
Muscle soreness or bruising
Rare nerve irritation or numbness
Infection at the needle site (very very rare)
Electrical burn (rare due to advanced precautions)
Severe complications are extremely uncommon. We take every measure to minimize risk, using sterile technique, imaging guidance, and careful monitoring during your procedure.
Who Should Not Receive RFA?
RFA may not be appropriate for individuals who:
Have active infections or fevers
Are pregnant
Did not experience pain relief from diagnostic nerve blocks
We always perform a thorough consultation and medical review before proceeding with treatment.
Radiofrequency Ablation vs. Other Treatments
Patients often ask how RFA compares to other options like surgery, epidural injections, or medications. Medications are very short lived and often have many side effects. Epidural injections are used for a radicular pain or pain caused by a disc irritating a nerve root. Surgery does not last forever and can vary depending on the type or number of levels fused. Surgery of course has its own risks and side effects. For many patients, RFA offers the best balance of long-lasting relief, minimal risk, and minimal downtime. It is a great procedure.
Trusted Pain Doctors in Oklahoma
At Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, we are committed to helping you regain control over your life with leading-edge treatments tailored to your needs. Our team includes board-certified pain management physicians who specialize in spine care, arthritis pain, and minimally invasive interventional therapies like RFA.
We are proud to serve patients from all over Oklahoma at one of our locations below:
Norman
Yukon
Oklahoma City
Weatherford
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’ve been searching for effective arthritis treatment or are frustrated with ongoing neck, back, or joint pain, radiofrequency ablation may be your answer.
📍 Find us at locations in Norman, Yukon, Weatherford and Oklahoma City
📞 Call now or visit https://OklahomaPainTreatmentCenters.com
🗓 Same-week appointments available most of the time
💡 No referral needed for most insurances!
Let Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers Help You Live Pain-Free
When it comes to minimally invasive arthritis care, Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers is your trusted local expert for pain management. Don't let chronic pain limit your life—explore the possibilities of radiofrequency ablation and start your journey to lasting relief today.
Adapted: http://www.medcentral.org/body.cfm?id=352, July 25th, 2010