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Specializing in Tailored Pain Management Solutions
Radiofrequency Ablation in Green Bay, WI
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
For patients whose neck or back pain keeps returning after injections, radiofrequency ablation offers something different: durable relief. RFA uses precisely delivered heat energy to interrupt the small nerves that carry pain signals from arthritic spinal joints — quieting the pain signal itself rather than repeatedly treating the inflammation.
How RFA works
The medial branch nerves that serve your facet joints do one job relevant to your pain: they transmit the pain signal to your brain. After a diagnostic medial branch block confirms these nerves are carrying your pain, RFA uses a specialized needle to heat and deactivate them. The nerves regenerate slowly over time, which is why relief from RFA is measured in months rather than weeks — commonly six months to a year, and the procedure can be repeated when pain returns.
Who is a candidate
RFA is typically offered to patients with chronic neck or back pain from facet joint arthritis who experienced significant short-term relief from a diagnostic medial branch block. That positive block is the key that confirms RFA is aimed at the right target. It may also help select patients with SI joint pain.
What to expect
RFA is performed in our Green Bay office with image guidance. The procedure takes longer than a simple injection but is still an outpatient visit — you go home the same day. Some patients notice soreness at the treatment site for several days before the benefit emerges over the following weeks.
Ask whether RFA is your next step
If injections help your pain but the relief keeps fading, RFA may offer something longer-lasting. Call 920-301-3161 or contact us to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Wilkins.