If you have arthritis in your joints, you know just how difficult it can be to perform everyday tasks, such as bending, walking, or just moving. Fortunately, there’s a minimally invasive treatment that can relieve your joint pain.
The Simplicity™ Probe is a radiofrequency ablation device that can stop problematic nerves from sending pain messages to your brain. At the pain-management practice of David Wu, MD, we offer this advanced treatment, which has helped many people reduce or eliminate their joint pain.
The Simplicity Probe uses radiofrequency ablation to treat chronic joint pain. During the treatment, the thin, wire-like probe of the Simplicity Probe is inserted near the area causing you pain. The probe then sends radiofrequency waves to the nerve fibers that are sending the pain signals.
These radiofrequency waves then burn or ablate the nerve fibers, thus stopping the pain messages from being sent to your brain. The results of treatment are usually immediate, and you should feel pain relief right away.
Because the procedure doesn’t require surgery, there’s little to no recovery time. Furthermore, the treatment will likely allow you to eliminate or reduce your need for pain medication.
To decide if radiofrequency ablation is the right treatment option, we’ll first review your medical history and perform any tests that may be necessary, such as X-rays. During this time, make sure to discuss your full medical history and mention any medications you may be taking, because blood thinners and aspirin need to be stopped for a few days before your procedure.
During your procedure, we’ll numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic. You’ll be fully awake to provide feedback, though we can provide you with a low-dose sedative. You may feel pressure when we insert the Simplicity Probe, but nothing more. Unlike other procedures used to treat back pain, you will be comfortable during our minimally-invasive treatment. We use X-ray imaging to guide us.
The ablation procedure normally takes about 90 seconds to perform. Most people are able to get up and walk around immediately following the procedure, but you will need to have someone drive you home. You should be able to resume your normal activities 24-72 hours after your procedure.
To see if radiofrequency ablation with the Simplicity Probe can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone with the office of David Wu, MD, today.
