Tibial Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Tibial Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Chronic foot pain and/or heel pain can be burdensome, but here at Solutions In Pain this chronic foot and/or heel pain can be treated with excellent precision & efficacy through blocking the pain signals associated with chronic foot and/or heel pain. These pain signals travel across the sensory tibial nerve. Therefore our clinic offers patients who have demonstrated significant improvement in foot pain following a minimum of two Tibial Nerve Block treatments a remarkable procedure known as Tibial Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): a short 10-15 minute procedure where we can effectively target these tibial nerves with a carefully delivered electric current produced by a radio wave. This electric current heats a small area of the nervous tissue where pain signals are created and this allows us to effectively block or interrupt the signals that cause pain from communicating with the brain thereby substantially reducing the pain of those who suffer from chronic foot and/or heel pain.

Clinical Indications For This Procedure:

  • Chronic Foot Pain
  • Chronic Heel Pain
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Other Neuropathic Disorders
  • Failed Foot Surgery
  • Non-Surgical Candidates
  • Successful Completion Of Serial Tibial Nerve Blocks With Clinically Satisfactory Results

What To Expect From Your Procedure
You will arrive at our clinic 15 minutes prior to your appointment with a designated driver where we will educate you at length on the benefits & risks of the procedure. After this discussion we will then have you sign a consent form and you will subsequently be positioned in preparation for the procedure.

Chloraprep will then be used to clean the procedural site & surrounding skin to help decrease chances of infection. The procedure site will then be identified under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the site is appropriately identified an injection of a numbing medication called lidocaine will be administered to numb the procedural site & surrounding skin. Once the lidocaine has settled the tibial nerves will be injected with a cocktail consisting of anesthetic (bupivacaine) and steroid (kenalog). This cocktail disperses and bathes the nerves & surrounding structures providing optimal pain relief for the following radiofrequency ablation. Once the medications have settled in we will proceed with radiofrequency ablation. This process will only take a few minutes. Following completion of the procedure you will then be assessed & observed for an additional 10-15 minutes following completion of the procedure to ensure your safety and then scheduled for post-procedural follow up by our staff.

What To Expect After Procedure

  • Substantial reduction in foot pain
  • Substantial reduction in heel pain
  • Improved mobility, range of motion, and activity of the foot & heel
  • Pain relief ranging from days to 3-12 months
  • Acute short term mild swelling or pain around the injection site

 

Risks Associated With Tibial Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

  • Misplacement of the needle
  • Unexpected bleeding
  • Drug allergies
  • Infection
  • Nerve damage
  • Worsening pain
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