Chronic pain doesn’t just hurt—it changes how you live. For many people in Snellville, constant discomfort in the back, neck, hips, or joints makes everyday tasks like walking, standing, or sleeping a daily challenge. Even simple pleasures like gardening, exercising, or spending time with loved ones can feel out of reach when pain is your constant companion.
If you’ve already tried physical therapy, medications, or injections with little or no long-term relief, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. One of the most promising next steps for many patients is a minimally invasive procedure called nerve ablation, specifically radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Offered here at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Snellville, RFA targets the nerves that are sending pain signals to your brain—quieting those signals without the need for surgery or long-term medication use. It’s a safe, effective way to manage chronic pain for those who are ready for a more advanced solution that doesn’t involve more pills or invasive procedures.
Nerve ablation, more specifically known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), is a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve chronic pain by targeting the nerves responsible for sending pain signals to your brain.
Here’s how it works: Using advanced imaging technology, a pain specialist guides a thin, specialized needle to the area where the problematic nerve is located. Once precisely positioned, radiofrequency energy is used to heat the nerve tissue, which effectively disrupts its ability to transmit pain signals. In simple terms, it "turns off" the nerve’s messaging system—stopping pain at its source.
Unlike surgery, no incisions are required, and the surrounding nerves, muscles, and tissues remain untouched. The procedure is outpatient, typically completed in under an hour, and most patients are up and moving the same day.
It’s important to note that the nerve is not permanently destroyed. Over time, sensory nerves may slowly regenerate, which is why relief from RFA can last anywhere from 6 months to over a year. When the nerve grows back, the procedure can be safely repeated if needed.
The primary goal of nerve ablation is to block the communication between the pain source and the brain.
In addition to stopping pain signals, RFA can also have a secondary benefit: reducing inflammation in the area surrounding the nerve.
This dual action—pain interruption and inflammation reduction—makes nerve ablation an excellent solution for many people whose symptoms haven’t responded to more conservative treatments like physical therapy or medication.
One of the most rewarding benefits of nerve ablation is how it can restore movement and improve day-to-day function.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Snellville, we often use RFA as part of a comprehensive care plan—pairing it with physical therapy or regenerative medicine to maximize recovery and help you return to the lifestyle you love.
Facet joints in the spine are a frequent source of back pain, especially in older adults or those with arthritis. RFA can target the tiny nerves around these joints, stopping the pain cycle and allowing better movement and sleep.
Like the lower back, the cervical spine has facet joints that can become arthritic and inflamed over time. Nerve ablation is effective in relieving chronic neck stiffness, aching, and radiating pain, especially when tied to wear-and-tear or poor posture.
The SI joints connect the spine to the pelvis and are a major source of lower back and hip pain, particularly in women or after injury. RFA can quiet the nerves in this region, offering relief where other treatments have failed.
When knee pain persists despite physical therapy, medications, or even after a joint replacement, nerve ablation can target the sensory nerves that continue to send pain signals. This is ideal for non-surgical patients or those with degenerative arthritis.
Some patients continue to experience pain even after back surgery. In these cases, RFA may help quiet lingering nerve pain, especially when scar tissue or residual inflammation is involved.
This narrowing of the spinal canal often compresses nerves, causing radiating pain and numbness. While surgery is sometimes necessary, RFA can provide significant relief for patients not ready or able to undergo spinal decompression.
When epidural injections, nerve blocks, or surgeries haven’t worked, nerve ablation offers a less invasive option that directly targets nerve pathways to stop the pain.
RFA is performed in our Snellville outpatient facility, meaning there’s no hospital stay required. We use advanced imaging (like fluoroscopy) to guide the procedure with precision and safety.
To keep you relaxed and comfortable, you’ll receive light sedation or local anesthetic at the treatment site. Most patients remain awake but relaxed—you won't feel pain during the procedure, just mild pressure.
A very thin, specialized probe (or needle) is inserted and carefully guided to the affected nerve. This part of the procedure is done with extreme accuracy to ensure that only the sensory nerve responsible for pain is affected—not the nerves controlling movement.
Before any treatment begins, a quick test stimulation is performed to confirm that the probe is correctly positioned. You might feel a brief tingling or tapping sensation, which helps your provider verify that they’ve located the exact nerve causing your pain.
Once placement is confirmed, radiofrequency energy is delivered through the probe, creating heat that gently disrupts the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain. This part takes just a few minutes per nerve.
The entire procedure typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many nerves are being treated. There are no stitches required, and you’ll rest for a short time afterward before going home.
Most patients:
While results can vary from person to person, many patients experience significant pain relief for 6 to 12 months following radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In some cases, the benefits can last even longer—especially when the procedure is combined with physical therapy and other supportive treatments.
The sensory nerves targeted during RFA are not permanently destroyed—they slowly regenerate over time. Once they do, some or all of the pain may return. However, the procedure can be safely repeated if needed, offering patients an ongoing solution for managing chronic pain without turning to opioids or invasive surgery.
If you're living with chronic pain and haven’t found lasting relief, nerve ablation may offer the breakthrough you need. Whether you’re dealing with back, neck, or joint pain that hasn’t responded to therapy or injections, radiofrequency ablation provides a safe, non-surgical option that targets the source of your discomfort.
It’s minimally invasive, drug-free, and available right here in Snellville—close to home and with a team you can trust.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter care. We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan designed to restore your comfort, mobility, and independence—without relying on opioids or unnecessary surgery.
✅ Ready to see if nerve ablation is right for you? Schedule a consultation today.
📞 Call: +1-844-328-4624
🌐 Visit: medicimedicalarts.com
📍 Snellville Clinic:
2220 Wisteria Drive, Unit 101
Snellville, GA 30078
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