- You must have at least 50% improvement from your diagnostic blocks.
- If you did, then you have 70 to 80% chance of an excellent outcome.
The average benefit from RF is one year and it can be repeated every 6 months if necessary. It is not uncommon for people to get years of benefit from this procedure.
What to do the day of the procedure
- It is okay to eat and drink the day of the procedure. It is NOT major surgery and you are NOT being put to sleep.
- If you would like sedation plan on arriving about an hour early. When you check in you will sign the consent form and then get a prescription for Valium that you can fill at the Summit Pharmacy for around $4. It will take about 45 minutes to take effect. You can also take a pain pill or two before arriving.
- You must have a driver. The driver has to be present with you when you check in.
- You may be dizzy following the block but this clears usually within 10 to 15 minutes.
- The procedure takes around 4 minutes per nerve so count on 15 to 25 minutes. Repeat RF procedures take a bit longer.
- It is not uncommon to experience pain after the procedure. It is a “sun burned” type of pain that is usually mild but can be moderate and rarely pretty intense. It is usually short lived but can last up to a month. Persistent pain longer than a month can occur but is rare and treatable.
- When getting off of the procedure table please be careful. Your balance may be affected. The assistant in the procedure room will help you down off of the table.
- Icing the injection sites can decrease pain from the procedure. 20 minutes of ice to the area 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days as needed.
- The full benefit can take a month to 6 weeks to peak.
- We only do one side per visit and you must wait 2 weeks between each side.
- You're follow-up after RF is 2 to 3 weeks after the final procedure.
- Take it easy for 2 to 3 days after the procedure and then return to normal activity as tolerated.
For further information check our web site: www.gapaincare.com and look under services. There is a narrated animation of the procedure. |