Radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, is a nonsurgical procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt nerve function. This can be applied to several areas of the body, most commonly the spine, knee, and shoulder. The nerves are targeted using a needle, so they no longer transmit pain signals from an injured joint. Fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray, will be used to position the needle. Nerves eventually regenerate after an RFA, but most often this leads to long lasting relief and can be repeated if the pain returns.
