As time passes following
injury to the muscles, ligaments and joints of the
head, face and neck, the process of degeneration often
progresses to a point where more conservative therapy
no longer gives long-lasting relief of pain. Radiofrequency
(RF) procedures offer excellent pain relief for many
of these patients.
The decision regarding
whether to use RF is based on the patient’s
history of pain, radiographic evaluation of the area
and physical examination. Conservative treatment includes
use of a combination of a local anesthetic (like Lidocaine)
with an anti-inflammatory agent, but if the pain returns
after a few hours or weeks a more permanent resolution
must be sought. This is when RF should be considered
as a suitable alternative. For many patients this
procedure provides pain relief almost immediately.
Candidate determination
is based on any of the following which do not adequately
resolve with Stage I or Stage II treatment:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Pain in the
Head, Face, Jaw, Eye, Ear,
or Throat
Other common complaints
which typically resolve with this procedure are nausea,
vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Many patients
have also reported resolution of long-standing tinnitus
(ringing in the ears), following treatment.
HOW IT WORKS:
Radiofrequency procedures involve a high-tech, bloodless, minimally invasive application of
heat to the appropriate location on injured structures
with laser-like accuracy. The heat source is a tiny
electrode and temperature sensing instrument at the
end of a probe which is passed through a small tube
the size of a piece of spaghetti, and is electronically
connected to a radiofrequency generator. Radiofrequency
energy passing through the tiny tube allows for a
lesion about the size of the head of a pin to be produced
in the target area. This cauterizes the nerve fibers
in the injured ligament or tendon to stop pain coming
from these structures. RF procedures are performed
on an outpatient basis. The technique virtually eliminates
the risk of scarring and injury to the Facial Nerve
which tend to be the major complications of traditional
scalpel surgery. No significant side effects have
been experienced. The person looks and feels normal.
The vast majority simply find that the pain is gone.
It appears that the nerves grow back without causing
a recurrence of pain.
Almost all of our
patients can be treated with Stage I and Stage II
methods. Only about 3% require RF procedures. However,
for those who are in need of further treatment to eliminate
their chronic headaches, migraines, face, eye, or ear
pain, radiofrequency procedures can provide the answer
in the vast majority of cases even after decades of
agony.
