RADIOFREQUENCY TREATMENTS

RADIOFREQUENCY

Radiofrequency is a minimally invasive pain treatment capable of interrupting pain transmission pathways through specific electrodes, which through a current generator, allow ablation or neuromodulation treatment of the nerve from which the pain originates. It is indicated for patients with chronic neuropathic pain positive for diagnostic nerve block with lidocaine. Some of the main indications are:

The radiofrequency treatment is performed by 4 key components:

  1. Radiofrequency generator for power supply
  2. Radiofrequency needle for reaching the anatomical site
  3. Radiofrequency electrodes (single-use or multi-use)
    They are connected to the generator and inserted inside needles of appropriate length, carrying the energy from the generator directly to the needle tip positioned near the nerve.
  4. Dispersion plate for closing the circuit  

How does radiofrequency work?

The current generator produces a current flow that is supplied through an electrode around which the effects of the electric field are manifested. This current is then collected by a plate in the case of monopolar treatments or by a second “output” electrode in the case of bipolar treatments. An electric field in the range of radiofrequencies (500 kHz) generates tissue overheating due to friction from the movement of ions. Depending then on the type of current sent, the treatment can be either lesion-thermal (direct current) generally with temperatures reaching as high as 80°, or neuromodulative with controlled temperatures below 42°, optimizing in this case parameters such as Voltage, Pulse Frequency or Pulse Duration.

Advantages