Facet thermal ablation is a procedure that uses a laser to deaden the nerve in the facet joint that relays pain symptoms.
The facet joints are the joint structures in the back of the spine that connect one vertebral segment to another.
What is Facet Thermal Ablation?
Facet thermal ablation is a procedure that uses a laser to deaden the nerve in the facet joint that relays pain symptoms. This is a nonsurgical minimally invasive procedure used to treat the following conditions:
- facet syndrome
- facet disease
- facet arthritis/hypertrophy
- degenerative facet joints.
Other names for this procedure include radiofrequency ablation, radiofrequency denervation, or facet joint rhizotomy.
Please note however that this procedure should not be recommended unless a patient has had a successful trial of either lumbar facet injections or medial branch blocks as a “dress rehearsal” to make sure the ablation procedure is of value. This is why we recommend a second opinion for your diagnosed condition, so that we can provide you with your options.