Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation is an interventional pain treatment that uses continuous radiofrequency energy to generate heat and destroy nerve tissue.

This interrupts pain signals but comes at the cost of nerve destruction, which may cause increased pain in the weeks after the treatment. RFA is commonly used for facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain or certain neuropathic conditions when other therapies fail.

Although effective in some cases, RFA’s destructive nature may rise concerns about long-term outcomes and repeatability. It is often compared to pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), which delivers similar energy in controlled bursts without creating thermal lesions. Whereas RFA cuts the “wire” of pain transmission, PRF modulates it — offering a safer and a more patient friendly option in many cases.