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Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Thoracic Facets


 

This procedure uses heat from radio waves to treat painful facet joints in your upper back. It eases pain that isn't helped by medications or physical therapy.

To begin, you lie on your stomach. You may be given medicine to relax you. We numb the skin and tissue of your upper back. Next, we guide a tube called a "cannula" to your spine. A video xray device called a "fluoroscope" helps guide the tube to the medial branch nerves. These tiny nerves carry pain signals from your facet joints to your brain. Now, we push an electrode through the cannula and down to these nerves. We test its position with a weak jolt of energy. If this recreates your pain, we know it's in the right place. Then, we heat the nerves with radio waves. Heating them blocks their ability to carry pain signals. We may need to treat several nerves. When it's done, you get a small bandage on your skin. You're watched in a recovery room for a brief time. Then, you can go home. You may feel sore, and you may still have back pain. But you'll gradually feel pain relief. This can take several weeks.