Lumbar Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation
หากคุณกำลังเผชิญกับอาการปวดหลังส่วนล่างเรื้อรังที่ส่งผลกระทบต่อคุณภาพชีวิตอย่างมาก ‘การจี้เส้นประสาทบริเวณหลังส่วนล่างด้วยคลื่นวิทยุ’ (Lumbar Medial Branch RFA) เป็นการรักษาที่มีประสิทธิภาพและมีความปลอดภัยสูง
เป็นหัตถการที่ไม่ใช่การผ่าตัด และฟื้นตัวได้รวดเร็วหลังการรักษา เพื่อการบรรเทาอาการปวดที่ยาวนาน หัตถการนี้จะมุ่งเป้าไปที่เส้นประสาทที่ส่งสัญญาณความปวดจากข้อต่อกระดูกสันหลังโดยเฉพาะ ช่วยให้คุณสามารถกลับไปใช้ชีวิตที่ดีได้อีกครั้ง
Identifying the Source of Your Back Pain
Effective treatment begins with accurate diagnosis. Chronic lower back pain generally falls into two distinct categories, and the distinction determines which treatment is most appropriate:
- Localised low back pain — pain concentrated in the lower back, hip, or buttock area, without radiating down the leg. This pattern typically originates from inflammation or degeneration of the lumbar facet joints and is the type that responds best to RFA.
- Low back pain with radicular symptoms — a burning or electric-shock sensation that radiates from the lower back down into the leg. This pattern suggests nerve root compression rather than isolated facet joint pathology, and is generally better addressed with an epidural steroid injection rather than RFA.
Correctly identifying which pattern you have is the critical first step — Lumbar RFA is highly effective for facet-mediated pain but is not the appropriate treatment for nerve root compression.
Who Is Lumbar RFA Suitable For?
- Patients with chronic lower back pain confirmed to originate from lumbar facet joint degeneration
- Patients who have undergone a lumbar medial branch block — a diagnostic nerve block — and experienced significant pain relief, confirming that the facet joints are the pain source and that ablation is likely to be effective
- Patients seeking long-lasting pain relief with reduced dependence on ongoing pain medication
The Procedure (Approximately 45–60 Minutes)
This is a safe, precise, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia.
General anaesthesia is not required. Total procedure time is approximately 45–60 minutes, .
depending on the number of spinal levels being treated.
- Positioning — the patient lies face down on the procedure table. The procedure can be performed while awake, or with a mild sedative administered by an anaesthesiologist for maximum comfort — the patient's preference is accommodated
- Real-time image guidance — the physician uses fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to visualise and accurately locate the target medial branch nerve at each lumbar level in real time
- Ablation — a fine radiofrequency needle is advanced to the target nerve position; controlled heat is delivered to deactivate the nerve fibres responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joint, without affecting the adjacent nerves that control movement or sensation in the legs
Expected Outcomes
- Long-lasting pain relief — most patients experience sustained reduction in pain for 3–6 months, with some achieving relief extending well beyond 12 months
- Improved mobility and daily function — reduced pain allows patients to move more freely, return to normal daily activities, and engage in gentle exercise more comfortably
- Reduced medication dependence — Lumbar RFA helps patients significantly reduce or eliminate their reliance on ongoing pain medication, lowering the cumulative risk to liver and kidney function from long-term analgesic use
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
- Rest : Rest for 24 hours following the procedure. Avoid heavy lifting or any activity that places significant strain on the lower back.
- Injection site : Mild soreness or stiffness at the treatment site is normal and typically resolves on its own within 1–7 days. This is a routine tissue response, not a return of the original pain.
- Follow-up appointment : For the best long-term outcome, attend your scheduled follow-up appointment so the physician can monitor your response to treatment and adjust your ongoing care plan as needed.
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
