At Pain & Spine Institute, we know how awful chronic thoracic pain is. If you’re dealing with chronic pain in your thoracic spine (middle back), you’re not alone. Many people experience chronic pain that limits their mobility, affects their daily activities, and diminishes their overall quality of life. There is a solution for those who suffer from this type of pain: thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy.
What is Chronic Thoracic Pain
Chronic thoracic pain is a condition where you have ongoing pain in the middle part of your spine, also known as the thoracic spine. This area stabilizes your body and supports your posture, but various conditions can cause chronic pain.
Thoracic pain can manifest as:
- Sharp, stabbing sensations
- Dull, aching pain
- Stiffness that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the shoulders or chest
This can be caused by:
- Facet joint arthropathy: Degeneration and damage of the facet joints between the vertebrae in the thoracic spine.
- Herniated discs: Bulging or ruptured discs that compress nerves.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves.
Before I recommend treatment, I always take a thorough medical history, do a physical exam, and use diagnostic tools such as X-rays and CT scans. This way, I can pinpoint the cause of your pain and create a customized treatment plan.
The Procedure
What is Thoracic Radiofrequency Neurotomy?
If you’ve had chronic thoracic pain and are looking for a minimally invasive treatment option, thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy may be the answer. This procedure is also known as radiofrequency ablation and targets the nerves that send pain signals from your thoracic spine to your brain.
Thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy works by interrupting those pain signals so patients can get long-term relief without the need for more invasive procedures like spine surgery. It’s a safe and effective option for many patients, especially those with pain from facet joint dysfunction or arthritis. Pain specialists play a big role in performing thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy to ensure customized interventional treatments for better patient outcomes.
How it’s Done
The procedure is simple and only requires local anesthesia. During the procedure, a small needle is inserted near the affected nerve. We use radiofrequency waves to create a lesion on the nerve so it can’t send pain signals to the brain.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the procedure:
- Preparation: I’ll guide you through everything you need to know before your procedure. This includes stopping certain medications, such as blood thinners, to reduce the risk of complications and avoiding food or drink for several hours beforehand.
- Procedure: After numbing the area, I will use X-ray or CT scan imaging to place the needle precisely. Once in place, the radiofrequency waves are delivered to the nerve, and a controlled lesion is created.
- Recovery: The procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour, and most patients can go home the same day. No overnight stay is needed, and you can get back to normal activities in a few days.
The good news is that most patients experience significant pain relief after the procedure. You may have some soreness or bruising at the injection site, but this should resolve in a few days. Many patients don’t need surgery because of the effectiveness of thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy.
Preparation and Recovery
Proper preparation is crucial for a good outcome with thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy. I always tell my patients to:
- Stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, to reduce the risk of bleeding or blood clots during the procedure.
- Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure so you’re comfortable during the procedure.
After the procedure, you may have some mild soreness at the needle insertion site, but this should resolve on its own in a few days. Most patients can go back to work and their daily activities shortly after the procedure, but we recommend resting for the first 24 hours.
Finding a Specialist
When considering thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy, it’s important to find a qualified pain specialist who has experience with the procedure. At Pain & Spine Institute, we specialize in minimally invasive pain treatments, including lumbar facet joint arthropathy, and I make sure my patients are fully informed and have realistic expectations of the outcome.
I use X-ray and CT scan imaging to confirm the cause of your pain and to target the treatment for maximum results. I’ll also answer any questions you have about the procedure, recovery, and your overall pain management plan.
What’s Next
If you’re living with chronic thoracic pain, there’s no need to wait. Thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy can block those pain signals and get you back to living.
Contact Pain & Spine Institute today to learn more or to schedule an appointment. We’ll create a customized treatment plan to give you long-lasting pain relief so you can get back to what you love without the constant discomfort of chronic pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients have mild soreness after the procedure, but they can go back to their normal activities in a few days. Full pain relief may take up to 2 weeks to develop as the body adjusts.
Yes thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy is safe when performed by a qualified specialist. It’s a minimally invasive procedure with a low risk of complications.
Radiofrequency ablation pain relief can last from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the individual. In some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated to maintain the results.
Thoracic radiofrequency neurotomy works for most, but some may need additional treatment if pain persists. Many can avoid spine surgery altogether.
