What is Radio Frequency (RF)
treatment?
RF treatments are performed when
injection treatments you have had for pain
originating from the joints in your back or
neck have worked but only for a limited
time. It is hoped that the pain relief will be
longer with the RF treatment.
The Radio Frequency machine produces
an electrical current which passes through
a needle. This current heats and destroys
the outer lining of the nerve. The process
should not be painful but may cause
discomfort in the local area.
The procedure
RF treatments are performed as a day
case procedure. Shortly before the
procedure you will need to change into a
hospital gown.
You will be asked to lie on your stomach
for treatment on your back, or on your
back or side for cervical (neck) joint
treatment, on the X-ray table.
the Consultant to know he/she is putting
the RF needle exactly where it is needed.
Sedation is not normally used for this
procedure, but if you feel anxious then you
can discuss it with the Consultant prior to
the procedure being carried out.
On the day of the procedure
You are allowed to eat up to 6 hrs before
the procedure and can drink only water up
to 2 hrs before the procedure. Take all
your usual medication including your pain
relief medicine and bring all your usual
medication, or a list of what you are taking
with you. (Patients taking medication to
thin the blood will be given individual
information)
If you have diabetes, you may need to
make some changes to your diabetes
medicine or diet on the day of the
procedure.
You may experience some discomfort,
twitching or tingling in the local area during
the procedure, this is a good sign. It helps
How long will I be in hospital?
Although the procedure itself takes up to
30 minutes you will be asked to stay for
between 1-2 hours before you are allowed
home to make sure there are no problems.
Make sure that someone will collect you,
to take you home, and you should not to
drive on the day of the procedure. Also
you may need someone with you for the
rest of the day/overnight.
Possible complications
As the needle is placed, you may
experience some discomfort and have
some slight bruising afterwards.
As with any injection, there is a very slight
chance of getting an infection where the
needle is placed. The use of skin-cleaning
solution, sterile gloves and equipment is
used to help avoid this.
The area is cleaned with antiseptic.
The Consultant will numb the area with an
injection of local anaesthetic before
putting in the RF needle.
A self adhesive foil plate will be placed
onto your thigh. This is connected to the
RF machine to make an electrical circuit.
X-ray pictures are taken throughout the
procedure to help the Consultant direct
the RF needle onto the correct site.
You must also let the pain doctor know if
you have allergies to local anaesthetic,
contrast or steroids, if you are unable to lie
on your stomach and if you have a
temperature or any infection on the skin of
your back or neck.
You may experience mild discomfort at the
site of the injection; this should last no
longer than 48hrs. In some patients this
can last for up to one or two weeks.
Caution
If you are/become pregnant, have any
major Illnesses / hospital admissions or
start taking anticoagulant drugs (for
example Warfarin or Clopidogrel) discuss
this with the pain doctor before the
procedure.
Very rarely you may experience a numb
leg or arm, which lasts only a few hours.
This procedure can cause a flare up of
your pain which can last up to four weeks.
There may be a local allergic reaction to
the local anaesthetic injection, which
results in redness and itching.
This is not serious although we need to
know for future treatments.
It is normal to have some discomfort at the
entry site of this procedure for a few days.
After the procedure
Do not drive a car or operate machinery,
sign any legal documents or make any
important decisions and avoid alcohol for
24 hours following sedation.
Further advice and contact details
If you have any queries or concerns
please contact your GP or the Pain
Management Team 01322 428856 (office
hours).
PAIN MANAGEMENT
British Pain Society, 21 Portland Place,
London W1B 1PY Tel: 0207 631 8870
website: www.britishpainsociety.org
Walk with assistance as long as
numbness, weakness, or drowsiness is
present.
Try to get back to your normal activities as
soon as you can, increasing them if
possible but pace yourself so you do not
overdo it and continue with your pain relief
medications.
A follow up appointment after your
procedure will be arranged so that the
pain doctor can review the effects of the
injection. Please keep a note of any
changes in your pain after the injection.
Noting even small changes are helpful so
remember to tell the pain doctor at your
next appointment.
Whenever you come to the Pain Clinic,
please bring with you all your usual
medication or a list of what you are taking.
After discharge home
Please contact your GP if you have any
symptoms causing you concern and if:
There is unusual redness or swelling at
the injection site
Your temperature is 38° C (100.4 F) or
greater.
CHRONIC PAIN
INFORMATION
Radio Frequency Denervation
(RF treatment)
Darent Valley Hospital
Darenth Wood Road
Dartford
Kent DA2 8DA
Tel: 01322 428856
www.dvh.nhs.uk
Written by M Williams September 2014
Version 1
Review September 2017