Radiofrequency Pain Treatment

Overview

Radiofrequency (RF) pain treatment utilizes an alternating electric field of high frequency to impact nervous tissue. Theanalgetic effect is reached by neuroablation, termic destruction of nerve fibers (RF termoablation).However, analgetic effectis also caused by temporary electrophysiological changes in pain perception resulting from an exposure of nervous tissueto the electric field, so called neuromodulation (pulsed RF). Pulsed RF is an isothermic, non-destructive method of paintreatment which resulted in using the method in wider spectrum of diagnoses. Indications for RF are spinal pain,interventions on the vegetative nerve system and peripheral nerves. Nowadays RF is used for acute and chronic paintreatment in all developed countries. It is accesible in the Czech Republic since 2003.The review article summarizes physical principles, biological effects, indications, techniques and complications of RFtreatment.

Key words:
RF termoablation – pulsed RF – spinal pain – visceral pain