Procedure Not Recommended
Ineffective, Temporary & Better Alternatives Exist
⚠️ While Deuk Spine Institute can perform Radiofrequency Ablation, we do not recommend it.
This page explains why — learn the risks before consenting to this procedure.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCEDURE
While there are legitimate medical indications, the financial incentives of repeat treatments strongly influence RFA recommendations.
Inflammation of the facet joints causing localized back or neck pain. RFA targets the sensory nerves supplying these joints, but often fails to reach the correct nerve.
Chronic back and neck pain attributed to facet joint degeneration. While RFA claims to address this, its burn radius is too small to reliably treat the target nerves.
RFA is prescribed as a "pain management" solution, but relief — when it works at all — lasts only weeks to months before the nerve regenerates and pain returns.
Nerves regenerate within months, requiring patients to return every 3-6 months for retreatment — creating guaranteed recurring revenue for the practice.
RFA is a quick in-office procedure with high profit margins. Minimal equipment and short procedure times allow high throughput with significant reimbursement per case.
Pain management clinics can perform many RFA procedures per day with minimal equipment. The system rewards volume over outcomes — regardless of whether patients improve.
THE PROCEDURE PROCESS
The images below contain medical procedure imagery. Viewer discretion is advised.
RFA attempts to damage sensory nerves to the painful facet joints but is rarely effective and requires retreatments every few months for your lifetime.
Needle and electrode placed through skin targeting facet joint nerve
With x-ray guidance, electrode tip is placed near the medial branch of dorsal ramus nerve.
The electrode tip is heated to 80°C and left in place for 2 minutes.
CRITICAL RISKS
6 documented reasons why RFA should be avoided for facet joint pain treatment.
Images below contain medical imagery and procedure illustrations.
DOCUMENTED COMPLICATIONS
Images below show real medical complications. Viewer discretion is advised.
The heated electrode can damage nearby nerve roots, causing permanent numbness, weakness, or radiating pain in the extremities.
Needle placement near the spinal canal can puncture the dura, leading to cerebrospinal fluid leaks and severe headaches.
Any needle-based procedure carries infection risk at the insertion site or deeper within the spinal structures.
The heating electrode can damage the facet joint itself, accelerating joint degeneration and worsening the underlying condition.
Needle insertion near the spine can cause hematoma formation, localized bleeding, and swelling around the treatment area.
RFA can paradoxically increase pain through nerve irritation, incomplete ablation, or damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND INSTEAD
Instead of partially burning nerves with an unreliable heated electrode, Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® uses advanced plasma technology to achieve complete, precise nerve ablation of the facet joint pain nerves — delivering long-lasting relief without the need for lifetime repeat treatments.
Achieves 100% nerve ablation of the target sensory nerves, compared to RFA's partial and unreliable burn coverage.
Plasma technology provides precise, controlled ablation — unlike RFA's crude heat-based electrode that frequently misses the target nerve entirely.
Patients experience lifetime of relief from a single procedure, eliminating the need for costly repeat treatments every few months.
High success rate with no complications to date. Patients report significant, lasting pain reduction after a single outpatient procedure.
Feature
Radiofrequency Ablation
Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy®
Technology
❌ Heat-based electrode (80°C)
✅ Plasma technology (precise ablation)
Nerve Coverage
❌ Partial — often misses target nerve
✅ Complete — 100% nerve ablation
Burn Radius
❌ Too small — incomplete treatment
✅ Full coverage of target nerves
Duration of Relief
❌ Weeks to months
✅ Lifetime
Repeat Treatments
❌ Every 3-6 months for lifetime
✅ Rarely needed
Procedure Time
❌ 30-60 minutes
✅ 5 min. per joint treated
Accuracy
❌ Frequently misses target
✅ Image-guided precision
Complication Rate
❌ Nerve damage, bleeding risk
✅ no Complications to date
Success Rate
❌ Fails over 50% of the time
✅ 99%
Cost Over Time
❌ Extremely high — lifetime repeat treatments
✅ Single procedure cost
A BETTER ALTERNATIVE
No heat damage. No repeat treatments. Proven plasma technology. Complete nerve ablation for long-lasting facet joint pain relief — in a single outpatient procedure.
Nerve Ablation Coverage
Single Procedure
Of Lasting Relief
