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Medical Release Forms


LUMBAR RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) (printable copy)

  • 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.
  • Your leg on the side being treated will probably be weak and numb after the procedure. The numbing medicine used to numb the nerve being burned spills over onto the nerves going to the leg and can cause weakness and numbness that last around 2 hours. Don't try to walk while you're numb or weak.
  • 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 back 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. The leg on the side of the RF may be weak and numb. The assistant in the procedure room will help you down off of the table.
  • Icing the needle 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.

 
 
 

 

OFFICE LOCATION

Georgia Pain and Spine Care
1665 GA Highway 34 East
Suite 100
Newnan, GA 30265
Phone: (770) 252-7557
Fax: (770) 252-7513

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

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