Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at reducing vertebral pain by targeting the nerve structures responsible for transmitting the pain itself. In spinal disorders, the main targets are the facet joints and the degenerated intervertebral discs, on which radiofrequency can be precisely applied thanks to radiological guidance. In the latter case, in addition to the pain-relieving effect, the procedure can also allow for percutaneous microdiscectomy interventions, expanding therapeutic options without resorting to more invasive traditional surgery.
These techniques, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis, may be combined with loco-regional injections of corticosteroids and anesthetics to enhance the analgesic effect and reduce inflammation affecting the nerve roots.
The Global Spine Solutions (GSS) team, composed of highly specialized spine neurosurgeons, carefully selects patients who may benefit from thermal ablation, relying on a multidisciplinary evaluation that combines medical history, advanced imaging studies, and, when necessary, targeted diagnostic blocks to precisely identify the source of pain. Thermal ablation procedures can be used either as a standalone treatment or in combination with microsurgical techniques, allowing the therapeutic approach to be tailored according to the patient’s anatomy, pathology, and rehabilitation goals.