Facet Joint Ablation / RFA

Facet joint ablation works to disrupt nerves in the spinal column that provide sensation to spinal joints (facets). Facet joints are pairs of small joints located at each level of the vertebrae in the back of the spine. Each facet joint is connected to two medial branch nerves, which carry signals, including pain signals, to the brain.

Facet joint ablation is commonly called facet radiofrequency ablation. In the procedure, a heat lesion is created to destroy the functionality of targeted nerves.