A heat treatment that interrupts pain signals
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to temporarily disable nerves that carry pain signals from arthritic spine joints. Relief typically lasts 6 to 12 months, and the procedure can be repeated when needed. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Key takeaways
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is part of the spine & neck care we offer at LAOSS. Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, who benefits from this procedure, what it looks like at our clinics, and the recovery and risk considerations to weigh.
Our specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
This simple procedure treats chronic pain. It involves heating part of a nerve to block its pain signals. Radiofrequency ablation can give you long-term pain relief.
The spine has 33 vertebrae stacked in five regions. Discs cushion them; the spinal cord and nerve roots run through the canal.
Most radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures are done as outpatient cases. You arrive, get prepped, the procedure itself takes a defined window, and you go home the same day with clear post-procedure instructions and a follow-up scheduled.
Here's what you can expect:
We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
Spine & neck care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you feel six months later.
Our spine & neck specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a spine & neck specialist is the next step.
These signs typically point toward this procedure being a good fit.
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
ImportantGo to the emergency room or call 911 for loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse quickly. Seek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, new numbness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the spine & neck, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the spine & neck.
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the spine & neck. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
At LAOSS, our spine & neck specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive techniques to coordinating your rehab, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Accepting new patients
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
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With same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a spine & neck specialist in Los Angeles.
Same-day and next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices. Book a visit and meet your specialist.
