Back pain can interfere with every part of your life. When conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, and injections fail, many patients find relief through a procedure known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA). At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we use ablation for back pain caused by facet joint arthropathy, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and vertebrogenic changes visible on MRI.
What Is Ablation for Back Pain?
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to disable specific nerves transmitting pain signals. Performed under fluoroscopy or CT guidance, RFA interrupts the pain pathway temporarily, providing relief that can last months or even years.
Conditions Treated with Ablation
Facetogenic Pain
Pain from the small joints in your spine (facet joints) is a common cause of chronic back pain. Facet joint ablation targets the medial branch nerves. At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we confirm diagnosis with a diagnostic nerve block. If the block provides at least 50% relief, you may be a good candidate for ablation.
- Relief typically lasts around 10 months.
- Repeat ablations are safe if spaced at least 6 months apart.
- Repeat RFA is effective in about 80% of patients who responded initially.
- Up to 58% of patients maintain pain and function improvements 2 to 3 years post-procedure.
- Both cooled and conventional RFA methods are effective.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Pain from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) at the base of the spine is another source of persistent back pain. We use RFA to target the lateral branches of the sacral nerves (S1-S3) and the L5 dorsal ramus.
- At least 50% pain relief is common.
- 90% of patients maintain relief at 6 months.
- Relief improves further with dorsal entry root zone complex ablation in refractory cases.
- Cooled RFA is often preferred due to the anatomy of the sacral region.
Vertebrogenic Pain
This type of pain is caused by inflammation and nerve irritation in the endplates of vertebral bones, seen on MRI as Modic changes. We treat it with basivertebral nerve (BVN) ablation using an intraosseous approach.
- 65% to 75% of patients report major improvement in pain and function.
- Relief is often sustained for up to 2 years.
- MRI confirmation of Modic type 1 or 2 changes is key for diagnosis.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
We recommend ablation only after conservative therapies have failed. Selection depends on the specific type of pain:
- Facet pain: Confirmed with a medial branch block.
- SIJ pain: Confirmed with a lateral branch block.
- Vertebrogenic pain: Confirmed with MRI findings; no diagnostic block is required.
You may be a good candidate if you notice these patterns:
- Facet pain: Localized low back pain that worsens with arching, twisting, or prolonged standing.
- SIJ pain: Pain in the buttock or low back that flares when walking, standing, or climbing stairs.
- Vertebrogenic pain: Deep, dull aching in the center of the back that doesn’t radiate down the legs.
How Effective Is Ablation?
Here’s what recent data shows:
- Facet pain: 42% to 62% experience at least 50% relief.
- SIJ pain: About 52% report meaningful relief at 3 to 6 months.
- Vertebrogenic pain: 65% to 75% experience significant improvement.
Repeat ablation is effective when pain recurs. In facet joint pain, repeat RFA has an 80% success rate with an average 10-month duration of relief.
- Facet pain: Up to 58% maintain long-term relief at 2–3 years.
- SIJ pain: 90% maintain relief at 6 months.
- Vertebrogenic pain: 75% maintain meaningful relief 2 years later.
Percutaneous RFA outperforms other non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy, exercise, steroid injections, and medications. While these conservative options remain essential, RFA provides greater and more durable relief in well-selected patients.
Is It Safe?
Yes. Most patients experience only mild side effects, such as localized soreness. Serious complications are rare. Patients with implanted devices like pacemakers or spinal cord stimulators receive additional precautions.
Why Choose Red Butte Pain Solutions?
At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we specialize in pinpointing the exact source of your back pain and customizing treatment for long-lasting relief. Whether it’s facet arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or vertebrogenic changes, our goal is to restore your comfort and function safely.
We proudly serve Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Maricopa, Sun Lakes, Mesa, Gilbert, Laveen, and Casa Grande.
Ready to Find Relief?
Don’t let chronic back pain control your life. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Karl Hurst-Wicker and the team at Red Butte Pain Solutions. We’ll determine if ablation for back pain is the right option for you.
We proudly serve patients from Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Maricopa, Sun Lakes, Mesa, Gilbert, Laveen, and Casa Grande.
Schedule now or call us at 602-633-4334.
