Median or facet nerve denervation is a procedure used to treat facet arthopathy by disabling the nerves in the facet joints so that they can no longer transmit pain response to the brain. This is an acceptable treatment to achieve pain relief when it has been suitably determined that the pain is chronic and is definitely caused by the facet joint.
Our doctors perform facet nerve denervation by using radiofrequency to disable the small nerves that serve the facet joint. You'll be able to return to normal activities after a few days, and full pain relief is usually achieved in two or three weeks. Pain relief generally lasts until the nerves regrow, which can take nine to fourteen months. Some people find that their pain never returns. If your pain does return, the procedure can be done again
Facet nerve denervation is a needle-based procedure that our doctors perform in our freestanding facility in Dayton, Ohio. The procedure takes about an hour and does not require an overnight stay.