Nerve ablation has become an increasingly popular option for people living with chronic back, neck, and joint pain, but many patients still wonder how long the relief truly lasts. While the procedure can interrupt pain signals effectively, its long-term success depends on the underlying condition and individual healing patterns. This blog breaks down what the research shows and how to know if nerve ablation is the right choice for you.
How Nerve Ablation Disrupts Pain Pathways
Nerve ablation uses energy, such as radiofrequency or cooled radiofrequency, to target sensory nerves that carry pain signals. By applying heat, a physician can “silence” problematic nerve fibers without major surgery. Because the nerves regenerate slowly over time, this approach offers a way to significantly reduce pain for months, while minimizing systemic medication needs and enabling patients to engage more fully in rehabilitation.
Clinical Trial Evidence of Sustained Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation
Strong data supports nerve ablation’s long-term effectiveness. For example, in a randomized prospective trial, cooled lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) showed superior outcomes versus corticosteroid injections for facet-joint pain. At 12 months, nearly half of the patients in the ablation group reported at least a 50% reduction in pain, significantly more than the injection group.1
Meta-analyses also reinforce these findings. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials found that radiofrequency sensory denervation produced significant pain relief and functional improvement in facet-joint pain not only at six months, but also beyond one year.2
Another long-term cohort study tracked patients for a median of 39 months, finding that over half of them sustained at least a 50% reduction in both pain and functional disability following medial branch RFA.3
Expanding Use: Joint Pain and Nerve Ablation
Research into other joints has also shown promise. For example, several observational and randomized trials have assessed genicular nerve ablation, which targets nerves around the knee for osteoarthritis pain.
In a randomized, double-blind study of knee osteoarthritis patients, cooled genicular RFA produced a substantial drop in pain compared to sham treatment, with effects maintained at six months.4
Is Nerve Ablation Right for You?
While not all pain types respond equally, nerve ablation is often considered for patients who’ve already tried conservative therapies like injections, physical therapy, or medications. A diagnostic block, where the nerve is temporarily numbed, is typically performed first to confirm if the targeted nerves are major contributors to pain.
Because nerve ablation is minimally invasive with a favorable safety profile, it’s frequently integrated into a broader pain-management strategy. When used wisely, it can reduce pain enough to allow more effective rehabilitation and restore function.
When to Consult a Specialist
If ongoing pain continues to interfere with your life, or if other treatments have offered only limited benefit, it may be time to explore nerve ablation. For personalized advice based on the latest evidence, book an appointment with interventional pain management specialist, Dr. Belamkar, who can evaluate whether this could be a sustainable option for you.
AUTHOR: Vinay C. Belamkar, MD, is the founder of Apollo Pain Center in Indianapolis with over a decade of experience exclusively in comprehensive pain care and a fellowship in Interventional Pain Management, Anesthesia, and Internal Medicine, with a fellowship in spinal surgery.
Reference:
1 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37578437/
2 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38512629/
3 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26005713/
4 - https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/6/857
