Dec 17, 2007 1:15 pm US/Eastern
Using Radio Frequencies To Treat Back Pain
TAMARAC (CBS4) ―
When surgery doesn't work, patients in pain are often left with limited options. Scarring at the surgical site can make it impossible for traditional medications and injections to work.
Ruth Jaffe, 73 of Tamarac, slipped and fell and injured her back and over the years, the pain had gotten progressively worse.
"I couldn't walk in the mall. I couldn't go shopping with my daughter," said Jaffe. "I couldn't do the things I wanted to do."
Interventional Pain Specialist Dr. Ira Fox of Anesthesia Pain Care Consultants in Tamarac suggested Jaffe to try radio frequency lesioning.
"It's a radio frequency technology that generates an electro magnetic field and this electro magnetic field in turn generates heat and the heat will eliminate pain fibers that can be responsible for the patients pain," said Fox.
This probe will go in and then the heat will be generated from the radio frequency unit. Nerve endings responsible for pain are burned using radio frequency. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and those patients who receive the most benefit have pain in the neck, mid-back or lower back.
Fox said the key to success is a proper diagnosis.
"The importance of identifying where the pain is remains the number one priority because the patients who are going to do the best are the one who are best diagnosed," explained Fox.
It took a while to find the source of Jaffe's pain but once that happened the proper treatment enabled her to become pain free.
"To me it was a miracle because I had been in so much pain," said Jaffe.
Radio frequency lesioning is covered by most insurance companies.
Fox said often times patients have immediate relief following the procedure.
To contact Dr. Fox call 954-720-3188.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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