Patient Information

Radio Frequency Treatments Explained

Radio Frequency Ablation, also called Radio Frequency Neurotomy uses radio waves to create a current that heats a small area of nerve tissue.

The heat destroys that area of the nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to the brain. It is most commonly used for pain in the back, neck, buttocks (sacroiliac joint) and facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia.

It is also helpful for long-term shoulder, knee or hip joint pain.

A treatment can last between 30 minutes to an hour, after which the patient can go home.
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NMS 460

The Stimpod NMS460 electromagnetic therapy is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment. The therapy is delivered by a pen-like stimulation probe which is placed on the skin, often near the nerve that is associated with a patient’s condition.

The sensation of the electrical pulses can vary depending on the underlying pathology from ‘no sensation’ to a sensation similar to a light pinprick.

A treatment session can last on average 5 to 10 minutes per affected nerve. Most patients see positive results after the first two sessions.
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Spinal Cord Stimulation for Treating Pain

Pain is a Profoundly Personal Experience

Abandoned hobbies. Strained relationships. Damaged careers. Pain can take what makes you who you are.

Our goal is to help you find the kind of relief that gets you back to being yourself again. You know your pain better than anyone, but perhaps there’s an opportunity to learn more.

Let’s start with the basics so we can understand your unique pain and start working toward your personal relief.

Acute Pain

Occurs immediately after an injury and lasts no longer than two months when treated properly.

Chronic Pain

Any type of pain that lasts six months or longer. It’s difficult to treat because no two people experience pain the same way. Individuals who seem to have the same kind of pain may need different treatments.

Different pains need different treatment options

The treatment option that will work best for you depends on the source of your pain and how it is impacting your functions.

Only you and your doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for specific pain treatment options.

What is Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)?

SCS therapy can help manage chronic nerve pain of the lower back and limbs by using mild electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals.

Boston Scientific SCS Systems offer more therapy options in a single device than any other system, which provides a greater chance of finding effective, long-term relief for your personal pain.

Although a minimally invasive treatment, SCS may also be used to help manage pain that is unresolved—or even caused—by more invasive surgical procedures.

Who is it for?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy is used to treat different kinds of chronic pain – pain lasting six months or more. This can include pain in the back, legs, and feet, or a combination of different pain areas.

Boston Scientific’s SCS systems are indicated for people with conditions causing pain, including failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), radicular pain syndrome, and more.

A pain management specialist can tell you if SCS therapy may be right for you.

Indications and Contraindications

Indications

Chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with the following:

failed back surgery syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II
intractable low back pain and leg pain.

Associated conditions may be:

radicular pain syndrome
radiculopathies resulting in pain secondary to failed back syndrome or herniated disc, epidural fibrosis, degenerative disc disease (herniated disc pain refractory to conservative and surgical interventions), arachnoiditis, multiple back surgeries.

Contraindications

The SCS Systems are contraindicated for patients who:

are unable to operate the SCS System
have failed trial stimulation by failing to receive effective pain relief
are poor surgical risks
are pregnant.

How Does SCS Work?

You feel pain when nerves send pain signals through your spinal cord to your brain.

Your spinal cord stimulator (SCS) system is designed to interrupt these signals so you don’t perceive them as pain.

Thin, flexible “leads” are connected to the spinal cord stimulator and placed near specific nerves in the back.
A small device called a spinal cord stimulator is implanted under the skin.
The spinal cord stimulator sends mild pulses through the leads to the nerves.
The pulses interrupt the pain signals on the way to the brain.

Try out spinal cord stimulation (SCS) first

The first step to managing your chronic pain with SCS therapy is a trial, which is a way to test drive a Boston Scientific SCS System. Talk to your pain management specialist about a trial of the Boston Scientific SCS System so you and your pain management specialist can decide if it is right for you.

Have you tried everything and still have pain?

Please complete our questionnaire and someone will be in contact with you.

Find a qualified doctor near you

We have a network of doctors all over South Africa who are qualified to perform RF procedures with ultrasound guidance.

Pretoria

Dr R Raath

012 344 4198

Info@chronicpain.co.za

Jacaranda Hospital
Justice Mahomed St
Brooklyn
Pretoria
0011

Boksburg

Dr MK Mwinyoglee

011 615 0148
konymwinyoglee@gmail.com

Sunward Park Hospital
Bert Lacey Dr & Aquarius Road & Kingfisher Ave
Sunward Park
Boksburg
1470

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Dr E Buitendag

0413968400
pepaindoc@gmail.com

36 3rd Avenue
Newton Park
Gqeberha
6045

Rondebosch

Dr E Wilson

021 683 7620
painclinicct@gmail.com

Room F201
Stonefountain Terrace
Rondebosch Medical Centre
85 Klipfontein Rd
Mowbray
Cape Town
7700

Durbanville

Dr FJ Tredoux

021 9811 828
info@capea.co.za

Advanced Health Durbanville
3 Somerset Crescent
Durbanville
Cape Town
7551

Somerset West

Dr Louis Smit

021 851 1556
info@helderbergpainclinic.co.za

18 Gardner Williams Ave
Firgrove Rural
Cape Town
7110

Pinelands

Dr Ché Venter

021 975 7093
reception@paincapetown.com

Cape Town Pain Clinic
Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital
Suite 2040
1st Floor North Wing
Alexandra Road
Pinelands
7405

Potchefstroom

Dr AJ Oberhozer

018 293 1404
drobe@telkomsa.net

310 Walter Sisulu Ln
Potchefstroom
2531

Shelly Beach

Dr Virsen Singh

082 357 3001
admin@coastalorthopaedics.co.za

Suite 3, Shelly Beach Hospital
Flamingo Road
Shelly Beach

Request an appointment

Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Phone

City

ProvinceGautengWestern CapeKwaZulu-NatalEastern CapeLimpopoNorth WestMpumalanga

Age *

Gender *

Do you have medical aid? *YesNo

Have you been suffering from pain for more than 6 months?YesNo

What is your average level of pain? *12345678910

Where is your pain located? *

When do you feel some relief? *Sit positionBending forwardLeaning on something

Have you had any of the following treatments? *Exercise, stretching, yogaTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)Pain pump implantRadiofrequency ablationSpinal Cord StimulationPhysical therapy, massage, chiropractorPain MedicationSteroid Injection, epidural nerve blockSpine or back surgeryOtherNone of the above

Tell us more... *

Are you currently being treated by a pain management specialist? *YesNo

If you answered yes, please enter your specialist's name and contact number

What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of the brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that regulate abnormal impulses. It is an established treatment for people with movement disorders, such as essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease and dystonia and psychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is also approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce seizures in difficult to treat epilepsy.

The amount of stimulation in deep brain stimulation is controlled by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in the upper chest area. A wire that travels under the skin connects this device to the electrodes in the brain.

DBS is:

A safe and effective solution to manage and reduce PD symptoms such as tremor, slowness, rigidity, uncontrolled movements, incontinence, and moodiness.

Effective in allowing for a reduction in the number of PD medications taken.

Able to provide 6 hours of more “ON Time,” giving you control and independence to live your life free of rigidity, freezing or the troublesome dyskinesia sometimes caused by PD medication.

Successful in giving patients with tremor an average of 70% reduction of symptoms, depending on type and location.

Benefits of DBS

DBS has changed the lives of people with PD, easing symptoms and returning function that was once lost. The results of DBS vary from person to person depending on overall level of health, progression, and window of implementation. Some patients show marked improvements in minor functions and sustained improvement for at least 5 years.

Parkinson’s patients

When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), “progressive” and “degenerative” are words you often hear, which make it hard to find hope. DBS offers something better than hope—a treatment option that may reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.