Pain management using radio frequency involves three days of evaluation. Two separate trials with local anesthetic. If positive relief of pain is achieved then 3rd day the RF ablation for long term relief is performed.1st Day Trial One: Sensorcaine:
The patient will come in and the radiologist will inject sensorcaine into the indicated area. The patient will relax in our recovery room for 20-30 minutes. The patients pain relief on a scale of 1 to 10 is documented. The patients then scheduled for a second injection of lidocaine on a separate day. The patient logs thee level of relief/duration.
2nd Day Trial Two: Lidocaine:
The radiologist injects the patient with lidocaine in the area of concern. The patient rests for 20-30 minutes in our recovery room and the degree of pain relief is documented. If the patient receives significant relief from both the injections they are a candidate for radio frequency ablation with 85% likelihood for success. If relief with one or the other trial there is a 50% likelihood for success.