Radio frequency ablation or RFA is a procedure for chronic low back and neck pain due to arthritic joints in the back. Once the painful joints in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine are identified, radiofrequency energy can be used to ablate the nerves to those joints. This procedure typically provides pain relief for approximately 9 to 14 months. It can be repeated on a yearly basis as needed.

The Intracept Procedure, which was recently approved by the FDA to treat Chronic Low Back Pain, also uses radiofrequency energy to ablate painful nerves in the spine. (drop down info?) In this procedure, the targeted nerves, the Basivertebral Nerves, lie within the vertebral bodies of the spine.  Unlike treating facet joint nerves on a yearly basis, one treatment using the Intracept Procedure is providing greater than 5 years of pain relief for patients. Both Drs Sloan and Seigel are highly trained in these procedures, and in determining who might be a good candidate.