5 Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Joint and Spine Pain

Chronic joint and spine pain can take a serious toll on daily life, limiting mobility, disrupting sleep, and making even simple activities feel exhausting. For many patients, traditional treatments like physical therapy, medications, or steroid injections may provide only temporary or incomplete relief.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers a proven, minimally invasive option for targeting the source of pain more effectively. By interrupting pain signals at their origin, RFA can deliver longer-lasting relief and help patients regain function without surgery. Below, we explore the key benefits of radiofrequency ablation and why it has become an important tool in modern pain management.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Long-lasting pain relief – Radiofrequency ablation uses targeted heat waves to destroy nerve endings, disrupting the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals. This approach can relieve chronic spine and joint pain for six months to two years, significantly longer than typical nerve injections.
• Improved mobility and daily function – By reducing persistent pain, radiofrequency ablation allows patients to regain function and the ability to perform everyday activities with greater ease and confidence.
• Minimally invasive with quick recovery – The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, involves no large incisions, and usually allows a return to light activity within a couple of days.
• Reduced reliance on pain medications – Radiofrequency ablation can lessen or eliminate the need for long-term use of opioid pain medication, supporting safer pain management strategies.
• Customizable and repeatable treatment – Radiofrequency ablation can be tailored to treat pain in different areas (spine, hips, knees, sacroiliac joints) and safely repeated as nerves regenerate over time.

Table of Contents

• Understanding radiofrequency ablation
• Long-lasting pain relief
• Improved mobility and function
• Minimally invasive and low risk
• Reduced dependence on pain medication
• Personalized, repeatable, and proven effective
• Is radiofrequency ablation right for me?
• Living well after radiofrequency ablation

Understanding radiofrequency ablation

Chronic pain — whether in the neck, back, or major joints — can impact every aspect of daily life. Radiofrequency ablation, also called radiofrequency neurotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses controlled heat to disrupt specific nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, radiofrequency ablation is one of the most effective nonsurgical procedures for managing chronic spinal and joint pain.

At Twin Cities Pain Clinic, our board-certified pain specialists use image-guided RFA techniques to ensure precision, comfort, and optimal results.

So, why is RFA a good choice for treating chronic pain in the spine and joints? Here we dive into several of the most important benefits of RFA that make it a preferable alternative to more invasive treatments and surgeries.

1.   Long-lasting pain relief

One of the greatest benefits of RFA is the duration of relief it provides. Unlike injections that offer effective but short-term comfort by medicating nerves, radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to actually break up the nerve endings. This disrupts the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals, resulting in significant relief.

Though the nerves eventually grow back, it is a slow process, and patients often experience relief for anywhere from six months to 2 years. For patients living with arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or facet joint pain, this amount of relief and improved quality of life can be a total game changer.

2.   Improved mobility and function

Chronic joint or spine pain often restricts movement and reduces flexibility, making it difficult to perform daily activities. After RFA, most patients notice substantial improvement in their ability to walk, bend, lift, or exercise without the constant discomfort that once held them back.

Reduced mobility is one of the most common complications of chronic musculoskeletal pain, often leading to additional issues such as fatigue, stiffness, and even mood decline. Restoring range of motion through effective, opioid-free pain control can help patients regain confidence and independence.

3.   Minimally invasive and low risk

Unlike traditional surgeries, radiofrequency ablation does not involve large incisions, general anesthesia, or prolonged recovery time. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia and mild sedation.

A thin, hollow tube called an introducer is guided to the target area using advanced imaging, such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound. Once positioned, a specialized probe is inserted through the introducer. The probe administers radiofrequency energy to the nerve tissue, creating a precise lesion that interrupts pain transmission.

RFA carries a low risk of complications — most patients experience only mild soreness for a few days following the procedure. There is no need for stitches or lengthy downtime, and patients typically return to light activities within 24 to 48 hours.

4.   Reduced dependence on pain medication

Many people living with chronic joint or back pain rely on daily medication to function, but long-term use of certain drugs can have negative side effects or reduced effectiveness over time. Radiofrequency ablation provides an alternative that targets pain directly, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for daily medication.

This approach aligns with the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, which encourages clinicians to consider interventional therapies like RFA to help minimize opioid reliance while still providing meaningful pain relief.

5.   Personalized, repeatable, and proven effective

One of the advantages of RFA is its adaptability to each patient’s needs. The procedure can be performed on different areas of the spine, hips, knees, or sacroiliac (SI) joints, depending on where pain originates.

Since sensory nerves naturally regenerate over time, pain relief is generally not permanent. Luckily, the RFA procedure can be safely repeated if pain does return, allowing patients to enjoy sustained pain relief for prolonged periods.

Is radiofrequency ablation right for me?

RFA may be recommended if you experience:

• Chronic neck, mid-back, or lower-back pain caused by facet joint arthritis or nerve irritation.
• Joint pain in the knees, hips, or SI joints not relieved by conservative treatments.
• Recurring pain despite physical therapy or medication management.

Before performing RFA, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic nerve block. This is a very minimally invasive injection designed to confirm the source of your pain. If the nerve block successfully provides relief, you’re likely an excellent candidate for radiofrequency ablation.

Living well after radiofrequency ablation

After treatment, patients can gradually return to normal activities within one to two days. Light exercise and stretching can help maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.

Our team also provides personalized recommendations for maintaining pain relief, including posture improvement, ergonomic adjustments, and ongoing physical therapy if appropriate.

Patients often describe radiofrequency ablation as life-changing — a procedure that helps them move, work, and enjoy time with loved ones again without the constant burden of pain. But don’t take our word for it; our patients have shared their personal experiences with RFA and the amazing results they achieved.

Radiofrequency ablation near me in Minnesota

If you’re searching for radiofrequency ablation, the experienced and compassionate physicians at Twin Cities Pain Clinic can help. Our specialists use advanced, evidence-based techniques to treat chronic spine and joint pain and help you regain a better quality of life.

Schedule an appointment online at Twin Cities Pain Clinic or call 952-841-2345 today. Our clinics serve patients across Minnesota with expert, compassionate care designed to bring relief, restore mobility, and renew hope.

The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.

REFERENCES

1. • CDC. “2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline at a Glance.” Overdose Prevention, 7 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html.
   • Cleveland Clinic. “Radiofrequency Ablation | Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17411-radiofrequency-ablation.
   • “Radiofrequency Ablation.” Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/radiofrequency-ablation.