Radiofrequency Ablation vs Spinal Cord Stimulation: Your Questions Answered

Chronic pain takes a toll on every aspect of your life — but it can be challenging to find a treatment that works. If you’ve already tried conservative treatments and you have nerve-related pain, a spinal cord stimulator or radiofrequency ablation may be an option.

At Consultants in Pain Medicine, Dr. Stephanie S. Jones and her team offer pain management services to patients in the San Antonio, Texas, area. Dr. Jones is a pain management specialist who provides various treatments to rid you of chronic pain finally.

Understanding radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a pain management technique that uses radio waves that produce heat to damage nerve cells. Once the nerve cells take on the heat, they become damaged and can no longer deliver pain signals to the brain.

During the procedure, Dr. Jones inserts a hollow needle into the targeted nerve. She uses fluoroscopy, a particular type of X-ray, to ensure she’s in the right area.

She then inserts an electrode into the hollow needle to deliver the radio waves and heat. The heat causes severe damage to the nerves, which keeps them from delivering pain signals to your brain.

Radiofrequency ablation can last for several months to a year. In some cases, people only get short-term relief, while others receive years of pain relief. You might get relief immediately, or it could take a few weeks to notice a difference.

What radiofrequency therapy can treat

Many people benefit from radiofrequency ablation for nerve pain. Dr. Jones may suggest this treatment if you have any of the following issues:

• SI joint pain
• Spinal arthritis
• Chronic neck or back pain
• Knee pain
• Peripheral nerve pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia pain
• Cancer pain

Understanding that the nerve can regrow after radiofrequency ablation is essential, meaning you may need repeat treatments to get continued pain relief. Your condition also determines how well the procedure works.

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment that uses a mild electrical current to disrupt pain signals to the brain. The device consists of a pulse generator and a battery that provides the electrical current. Leads attach to the pulse generator that Dr. Jones surgically places in the epidural space of the spine.

The leads have tiny electrodes that connect to the nerves of the spine. When you turn the spinal cord stimulator on, the mild electrical current travels from the pulse generator to the leads and then to the electrodes.

Spinal cord stimulation is an invasive procedure that’s a good choice for people with chronic pain that other treatments haven't worked for. It’s a choice for those who are living with any of the following issues:

• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Chronic back pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Nerve injuries
• Ischemic pain
• Spinal cord injuries

To get a spinal cord stimulator, you must first undergo a trial period to see if you achieve a 50% reduction in pain. The trial stimulator sits outside the body, while the leads sit inside the epidural space through a minor procedure.

Is spinal cord stimulation permanent?

Dr. Jones recommends a permanent device if you pass the trial period and achieve at least 50% pain relief. The procedure is invasive and requires anesthesia, but it’s a quick recovery.

During the procedure, Dr. Jones used high-tech X-ray imaging to find the spot in the spine that worked for the trial period. She then inserts one or two leads into the same space and threads them to a pocket in your buttocks or abdomen where the pulse generator sits.

She then tests the device to ensure it works and closes the incisions. Although the device is permanent, she can remove it through a surgical procedure if necessary.

Both procedures are successful in treating chronic pain but are very different treatments. Dr. Jones assesses your pain and health to determine which is best for your needs.

Call our office in San Antonio today to discuss spinal cord stimulation or radiofrequency ablation with Dr. Jones. You can also send us a message right here on our website.