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Radiofrequency Treatment
Trigeminal neuralgia, cervical, and sciatic pain are highly distressing conditions. How can these symptoms be effectively alleviated? This article introduces radiofrequency treatment to readers.
Case One: Mr. Chan, 66 years old
Mr. Chan is a 66-year-old computer engineer who has suffered from trigeminal neuralgia on the right side of his face for more than three years. Initially, medications were effective in relieving the pain, but the symptoms would recur every few months to a year. The severity of the condition and the degree of pain worsened over time, leaving Mr. Chan in unbearable agony. He had been unable to sleep for three days and was in extreme distress. MRI imaging revealed that the trigeminal nerve on the right side of his brainstem was compressed by a small arterial blood vessel loop, leading to trigeminal neuralgia.
For personal reasons, Mr. Chan temporarily decided against minimally invasive surgery for nerve root decompression. After thoroughly discussing other medical options with his neurosurgeon, he opted for "Pulsed Radiofrequency" treatment. Under local anaesthesia, the doctor used X-ray guidance to locate and perform radiofrequency treatment on Mr. Chan's trigeminal nerve, which took about half an hour. Following the treatment, Mr. Chan's nerve pain immediately disappeared. He felt completely relieved, smiled, and regained his usual talkativeness. He was able to go home and rest on the same day. Without the torment of nerve pain, Mr. Chan enjoyed a long-awaited night of quality sleep, sleeping soundly until morning.
Case Two: Ms. Leung, 30 years old
Ms. Leung, a 30-year-old office worker, had been experiencing symptoms of neck, left shoulder, and left upper arm numbness and pain for more than three years. Even with various treatments including Chinese and Western medicine, chiropractic, and physical therapy traction, none were effective. Recently, her condition worsened, with excruciating pain akin to being pricked by needles. Even touching her skin triggered unbearable pain, making movement impossible. MRI showed herniation of the intervertebral discs between the 5th and 6th, and the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae, compressing the nerve roots, resulting in cervical nerve pain. After discussing with the doctor, Ms. Leung underwent cervical nerve root "Pulsed Radiofrequency" treatment under local anaesthesia. Post-treatment, her nerve pain vanished instantly, and she was able to move freely. She went home to rest the same day and returned to work the next morning.
The doctor inserts the micro-invasive needle for "Pulsed Radiofrequency" treatment into the patient's affected back area.
Using X-ray guidance, the doctor identifies the precise location of the patient's cervical lesion for the next step of the treatment. (Left)
The image shows the "Pulsed Radiofrequency" device connected by wires. (Right)
Case Three: Mrs. Wong, 58 years old
Mrs. Wong, a 58-year-old housewife, had been suffering from lower back pain and right leg numbness and pain for more than four months. MRI confirmed that she had a herniated disc at the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, compressing the nerve root and causing sciatica. After discussing the medical options with her doctor, Mrs. Wong underwent radiofrequency treatment. Post-treatment, her pain reduced by 90%, and she showed a long-missed smile, walking home on her own that evening.
What is Radiofrequency Treatment
Neck pain, back pain, trigeminal neuralgia, cervical and sciatic pain are all common symptoms encountered by neurosurgeons. When all conservative treatment options prove ineffective, doctors may recommend "Pulsed Radiofrequency" treatment to alleviate the patient's pain.
"Pulsed Radiofrequency" is a minimally invasive, safe pain relief procedure. Radiofrequency waves are intermittent, releasing two 20-millisecond cycles per second, generating an electromagnetic field intermittently. Without damaging the nerve or causing pathological changes, the radiofrequency waves create a temperature environment of 42 degrees Celsius, selectively affecting the nerve endings responsible for transmitting pain signals, putting them into a dormancy period of 12 to 18 months.
After diagnosis and treatment by a specialist, more than 90% of patients with nerve pain respond well to radiofrequency treatment, with pain symptoms reducing or disappearing completely. The 12 to 18 months of pain-free period following radiofrequency treatment allows patients to reduce or stop taking pain medications and live a normal life without the agony of pain. Subsequently, patients can continue with other conservative treatment options or gradually consider whether to undergo curative minimally invasive surgical options in the future.