When Is Radiofrequency Ablation Recommended for Lumbar Spondylosis?

Lumbar spondylosis means wear-related changes in the lower spine, including changes around discs and facet joints. The scan finding alone does not identify the source of pain. Ablation uses heat to interrupt selected medial branch nerves that carry pain from certain facet joints. It is considered for pain mainly felt in the lower back, not as a way to remove a disc bulge, widen a narrowed canal, or repair arthritis. Your clinician uses your history, examination, imaging, and diagnostic response together.

Note how sitting, standing, walking, bending, and turning affect your symptoms. Bring details of exercise, physiotherapy, medication, and any injections already tried. Ask whether the suspected pain is facet-related or instead travels along a nerve into the leg. Discuss medication instructions, transport after the procedure, expected soreness, and a plan for returning to walking and strengthening.

Seek urgent care for new bladder or bowel control problems, numbness around the groin, rapidly worsening leg weakness, severe pain after trauma, or fever with spinal pain. These symptoms can signal a problem requiring prompt examination and should not be managed by arranging ablation alone.

Ask: Which lumbar joints or nerves are being considered? What evidence confirms the pain source? What non-procedure options should continue? What symptoms would make ablation unsuitable? How will progress be measured after treatment?