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During radiofrequency neurotomy
Radiofrequency neurotomy is an outpatient procedure, so you'll go home later that same day. The entire procedure usually takes about an hour.
You'll wear a hospital gown and lie on your stomach on an X-ray table. A special kind of X-ray machine, called a fluoroscope, will help the doctor position the radiofrequency needles precisely — so only the targeted nerve tissue will be affected.
An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm or hand to deliver medication that will keep you comfortable during the procedure. Numbing medication will be injected into your skin before the radiofrequency needles are inserted.
After radiofrequency neurotomy
After the procedure, you'll be taken to another room to rest until you feel well enough to go home. You might notice some soreness in the area where the needles were inserted, but this usually goes away in a day or two.
- Braun EB, et al. Pain management in the head and neck patient: Chronic pain. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Nov. 23, 2011.
- Speldewinde GC. Outcomes of percutaneous zygapophysial and sacroiliac joint neurotomy in a community setting. Pain Medicine. 2011;12:209.
- Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Nonsurgical interventional treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2011.
- Biondi DM, et al. Cervicogenic headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2011.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Radiofrequency lesioning. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
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