What to expect from radiofrequency ablation for facet joint syndrome

Facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine. Radiofrequency ablation places a probe near selected medial branch nerves that carry pain from these joints, using imaging to guide placement. The clinician may use local anaesthetic, and you may notice pressure, warmth or brief muscle twitching during testing.

The treatment reduces pain signals from the targeted nerves; it does not remove arthritis or change the shape of the facet joints. The treated area may feel bruised or tender before the longer-term response can be judged.

Share your medication list and mention blood-thinning treatment, infection, allergies, pregnancy or previous reactions to sedation. Follow the clinic’s fasting and medication instructions, and plan transport if you will not be fully alert afterward.

Keep the dressing in place as instructed and take a gentle walk if permitted. Avoid strenuous bending, lifting and twisting until your clinician allows them. Physiotherapy can address posture, spinal movement and trunk endurance so that reduced pain is supported by safer daily movement.

Report fever, drainage, increasing warmth or redness, or pain that keeps escalating around the procedure site. Obtain urgent assessment for new leg weakness, spreading numbness, difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin.

Ask which facet levels are being treated, what the diagnostic block showed, how sedation affects the day, when to restart exercise, and what other options are available if facet pain remains limiting.