The main aim of interventional pain treatments is to accurately locate the cause of the ongoing pain, confirm the diagnosis, and test the reversibility of the symptoms. It is, therefore, customary to carry out an injection with local anaesthetic with or without steroids to ‘test’ the accuracy of the diagnosis and assess how much of the pain is inflammatory by the beneficial effects of the steroid. We will use this information to plan further longer-lasting radio-frequency treatments as required.
These joints are at the back part of the pelvis and are implicated in very low back pain. They respond well to steroid injections to facilitate rehabilitation but are also amenable to radio-frequency denervation.
After your treatment
We suggest that someone drive you home after these procedures, with or without sedation. The pain reduction in the first 24-48 hours is an important indicator in the future success of treatments, and if you have had a non-radiofrequency treatment, you will be asked to make a note of this by email.
As far as activity is concerned, you should carry on with your usual level of activity in the first few weeks after the treatment, and you will be reviewed in the clinic in four to six weeks.
