KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Mercy Pain Ctr.) -- Physicians at the Mercy Health Partners Pain Management Centers are the first in the Knoxville area to offer an advanced procedure for providing relief for certain types of back pain that have traditionally been difficult to treat.

The procedure is an advanced form of radiofrequency (RF) lesioning, which uses no incisions and works by inserting a small probe through a needle that transmits a minimal radiofrequency current to the area at the source of the pain. The small radiofrequency current disrupts the individual nerve that’s sending pain signals to the brain, and the procedure is repeated until each affected area is treated to achieve optimal pain relief. RF lesioning is less painful than more invasive surgical techniques, so only mild sedatives are needed for a brief period until discomfort subsides.
Mercy physicians are using the newest RF technology, Cooled-RF, for patients who have exhausted traditional treatment methods like anesthetic injections and physical therapy for back pain. In this technique, the RF probe is internally cooled, enabling the physician to apply a larger area of pain-relieving treatment. By treating a larger area than other RF techniques, Cooled-RF can offer a highly effective therapy for back pain suffers.

“Increasingly, new treatment options that don’t involve invasive surgery or general anesthesia are coming online for those suffering the agony of chronic back pain,” says Christopher Vinsant, MD, who is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management and has performed a number of these advanced RF techniques for pain control at Mercy Pain Management Center. “For these patients, minimally invasive procedures using novel radiofrequency lesioning technology may offer significant pain relief. These procedures do not require an overnight hospital stay and can reduce a patient’s need for strong, oral pain mediations.”

In addition to Dr. Vinsant, other Mercy Pain Management Center physicians offering the new RF procedures include:
Mark Nelson, M.D., board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management
James Wike, M.D., board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management

Mercy Pain Management Centers specialize in treating chronic lower back pain and have three convenient locations in Knox County – Mercy St. Mary’s, Mercy North and Mercy Northshore (near the Pellissippi Parkway/Northshore Dr. intersection).

Chronic back pain impacts the lives of millions of Americans each year. Those afflicted with it feel a sharp, stabbing, localized pain or a burning ache radiating across the lower back, persisting from months to years, and affecting their daily lives by limiting their activity. It is estimated 20 percent of population develops back pain each year, the second most common cause of disability in the U.S. and the leading cause among men.

Back pain sufferers should consult with their attending physician to decide which course of treatment is right for them. An experienced pain specialist can evaluate patients suffering from chronic back pain to consult about which treatment option meets their needs.
To learn more about minimally invasive outpatient treatment for chronic back pain at Mercy Pain Management Centers, call 865-545-7246.