Who benefits from RFA?
Radiofrequency ablation can treat a range of conditions by targeting the exact source of a problem, whether that’s a nerve, growth, or abnormal tissue. It’s often used when symptoms don’t improve with other treatments or when surgery isn’t the best option. Your care team will work closely with you to decide if RFA is the right approach for your needs.
RFA can ease long-lasting joint pain caused by arthritis in the spine, knees, hips, and shoulders. It targets the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. Blocking those signals may reduce discomfort and improve movement for months or longer.
Ongoing pain in the back, neck, sacroiliac joints, and other areas can often be treated with RFA. Before the procedure, a temporary numbing injection (nerve block) helps confirm the source of pain. Once identified, RFA can provide longer-lasting relief.
Peripheral nerve pain happens when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged or irritated, causing burning, tingling, or sharp pain. RFA targets the affected nerve to help reduce those signals.
For severe facial pain, including trigeminal neuralgia, RFA can treat small branches of the affected nerve. This may reduce sudden, intense pain episodes while preserving normal sensation as much as possible.
When tumors press on nerves or bones, they can cause ongoing pain. RFA targets the nerves responsible for those signals, which may help improve comfort and daily quality of life.
RFA can destroy certain tumors, both noncancerous and cancerous, in organs like the liver, kidney, lung, and thyroid. When used to treat cancer, the procedure is known as tumor ablation. Using imaging for guidance, a specialist places a small probe into the tumor and applies heat to break down abnormal cells while limiting harm to surrounding tissue. It may be used instead of surgery or alongside other treatments.
RFA offers a minimally invasive way to treat uterine fibroids that cause symptoms. Heat is applied directly to the fibroid, causing it to shrink over time. The body gradually absorbs the treated tissue, often leading to less menstrual bleeding, reduced pelvic pressure, and fewer urinary symptoms within a few months.
Penn Medicine also offers advanced RFA options for fibroid treatment. The Acessa® system uses small incisions to treat fibroids through the abdomen. The Sonata® system is incision-free and reaches fibroids through the cervix using ultrasound guidance. Princeton Medical Center is currently the only provider in the region offering Sonata.
RFA is a type of cardiac ablation used to treat irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia. A heart specialist uses heat to create very small scars that block abnormal electrical signals and help restore a more regular heartbeat.