Hip joint Radiofrequency
What innervates the hip joint?
The hip joint is innervated by the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerve.
When is a hip joint radiofrequency performed?A hip joint radiofrequency may be performed for:
- persistant pain from hip arthritis
- patients who are unable to undergo hip replacement due to medical reasons
- patients who are experiencing symptoms that are not significant enough to justify a hip replacement
- residual pain after a hip replacement
Before the procedureYou will need to fast before the procedure. This means: - No food 6 hours before - No liquids (except water) 6 hours before. This includes coffee, tea, orange juice etc.- You can drink water up to 2 hours before the procedure.
Take your usual medications with a small sip of water.Please contact us if you are taking any blood thinning medications, diabetes medication, pregnant, or unwell. The procedureThe procedure itself takes 15-30 minutes. It is a day case, meaning no overnight stay is required. An Anaesthetist will provide sedation and monitor you during the procedure. The procedure is performed in the operating room with fluoroscopy (X-ray) and Ultrasound to ensure accurate needle placement. Specialized equipment including the radiofrequency needle, probe and radiofrequency machine is used to heat the needle to a temperature of 42-90 degrees depending on whether the procedure is pulsed or thermal. Local anaesthetic with steroid is injected following the nerve ablation. The local anaesthetic provides immediate pain relief, whereas the radiofrequency ablation and steroid may take several weeks to provide sustained pain relief. Pain relief usually lasts between 6-12 months. The procedure can be repeated if your pain returns.
After the procedureYou will be taken to recovery and monitored until you are ready for discharge. You will not be able to drive, so ensure someone can drive you home safely. Avoid over-exerting yourself immediately after the procedure. You may gradually return to your day-to-day activities. If you develop any symptoms (fever, swelling, worsening weakness or numbness, bleeding) after the procedure or have any other concerns, please contact us, your GP, or your local Emergency Department.
You will be reviewed by our pain nurse via telephone a few days after the procedure.
What are the risks of the procedure?No procedure is risk-free but the risks for this procedure are considered to be relatively low. Possible risks include infection, bruising, haematoma, nerve injury and allergic reactions. Infection is minimized with appropriate sterile and aseptic precautions. Bleeding risk is minimized by stopping blood-thinning medications a few days prior. If this applies to you, our pain nurse will remind you to stop your blood-thinning medications a few days prior to your procedure. Risk of nerve injury is minimized as we use fluoroscopy to guide accurate needle placement. Severe allergic reactions to the injectates (ie local anaesthetic, steroids) are very uncommon. Steroids may produce side effects including stomach irritation, insomnia, mood swings, flushing, palpitations. Post-procedural flare is common after a rhizotomy and can be treated with painkillers. Neurological complications including weakness, paraesthesia, numbness have been described but are extremely rare. Radiofrequency treatment can produce patchy numbness on the overlying skin.
Patients need to be aware that the outcome of the procedure is variable between individuals and they may not receive the desired benefits. The therapeutic benefits of the procedure are transient, and repeat injections may be required.
Take your usual medications with a small sip of water.Please contact us if you are taking any blood thinning medications, diabetes medication, pregnant, or unwell. The procedureThe procedure itself takes 15-30 minutes. It is a day case, meaning no overnight stay is required. An Anaesthetist will provide sedation and monitor you during the procedure. The procedure is performed in the operating room with fluoroscopy (X-ray) and Ultrasound to ensure accurate needle placement. Specialized equipment including the radiofrequency needle, probe and radiofrequency machine is used to heat the needle to a temperature of 42-90 degrees depending on whether the procedure is pulsed or thermal. Local anaesthetic with steroid is injected following the nerve ablation. The local anaesthetic provides immediate pain relief, whereas the radiofrequency ablation and steroid may take several weeks to provide sustained pain relief. Pain relief usually lasts between 6-12 months. The procedure can be repeated if your pain returns.
After the procedureYou will be taken to recovery and monitored until you are ready for discharge. You will not be able to drive, so ensure someone can drive you home safely. Avoid over-exerting yourself immediately after the procedure. You may gradually return to your day-to-day activities. If you develop any symptoms (fever, swelling, worsening weakness or numbness, bleeding) after the procedure or have any other concerns, please contact us, your GP, or your local Emergency Department.
You will be reviewed by our pain nurse via telephone a few days after the procedure.
What are the risks of the procedure?No procedure is risk-free but the risks for this procedure are considered to be relatively low. Possible risks include infection, bruising, haematoma, nerve injury and allergic reactions. Infection is minimized with appropriate sterile and aseptic precautions. Bleeding risk is minimized by stopping blood-thinning medications a few days prior. If this applies to you, our pain nurse will remind you to stop your blood-thinning medications a few days prior to your procedure. Risk of nerve injury is minimized as we use fluoroscopy to guide accurate needle placement. Severe allergic reactions to the injectates (ie local anaesthetic, steroids) are very uncommon. Steroids may produce side effects including stomach irritation, insomnia, mood swings, flushing, palpitations. Post-procedural flare is common after a rhizotomy and can be treated with painkillers. Neurological complications including weakness, paraesthesia, numbness have been described but are extremely rare. Radiofrequency treatment can produce patchy numbness on the overlying skin.
Patients need to be aware that the outcome of the procedure is variable between individuals and they may not receive the desired benefits. The therapeutic benefits of the procedure are transient, and repeat injections may be required.
DisclaimerThe above information is for general education only and is not intended as a substitute for your own independant health advice. At Western Pain clinic we comprehensively assess each patients pain condition and provide advice using the latest evidence-based treatments. If you would like to find out more information about suprascapular nerve rhizotomy, please discuss this with our doctor during your consultation.