Radiofrequency Ablation Devices are Superior to Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Treatment of Chronic Pain and Various Musculoskeletal Conditions

 

Radiofrequency Ablation Devices

Radiofrequency ablation devices have provided a new pain management option to thousands of people suffering from back pain, neck pain, nerve pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. The process involves heating a small region of soft tissue beneath controlled pressure and this act helps in blocking pain signals emanating from that same region.

Currently, high prevalence of chronic arthritis has led to increasing demand for radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices in the U.S. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s May 2019 report, an estimated 54.4 million US adults have diagnosed arthritis, which accounted for around 1 in 4 people in the U.S. 

There are many types of radiofrequency ablation devices that are used to treat different ailments and there is no one-size-fits all device that can be recommended for everyone. Before you make your final decision on the type of RF ablation device to use for your treatment, it is essential to get the opinion of a trained medical professional who is aware of your exact requirements. If you undergo a major surgical procedure such as a hip replacement or heart surgery, then a local anesthetic combined with a RF ablation device is usually administered during the operation. The anesthetic acts to numb the pain sensors in the patients back and feet, while the radiofrequency ablation device sends out radio frequency pulses to break up the bone, muscle and nerve fibers, thus releasing the energy that is generated by the body's healing response.

Most radiofrequency ablation devices use radio waves to break up bone and tissue in the body and the heat generated by these pulses help in localizing damaged areas and stop further bone deterioration. However, depending on the type of treatment, RF ablation may also be used to relieve pain and stop muscular contractions. Moreover, RF ablation is superior compared to hyaluronic acid injections in pain management. For instance, in September 2020, Avanos Medical, Inc., the U.S.-based medical technology company, announced the publication of a large, randomized, multicentered clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of COOLIEF Cooled Radiofrequency ablation to hyaluronic acid injection for the management of chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

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