RFA procedure at Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad helps weightlifter suffering from severe back pain to win Gold in State Championship

Halavath Karthik, an 18 year old National level Weightlifting champion from Hyderabad was suffering from chronic back pain. He was supposed to participate in a weight lifting competition in 2018(Asian Championship) and due to excruciating back pain, he almost dropped out from the competition. After the competition, unable to bear the pain, Karthik consulted Dr. Ravi Suman Reddy, Consultant Neuro & Spine Surgeon at Yashoda Hospitals Somajiguda, who recommended Radiofrequency Ablation. He recovered within a week and participated in the weight lifting competition, becoming a Gold medalist in the Telangana Senior State Championship.

Describing the treatment modality, Dr. Ravi Suman Reddy said, “Lower back pain arises from the pelvic joints, sacroiliac joint, intervertebral discs and the coccyx. One of the best treatments for chronic back pain is the use of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is a technique that uses heat to interrupt pain signals in the spinal nerves and is an emerging treatment option for chronic lower back pain.”

Further, Dr. Ravi Suman Reddy added “Karthik came to me with severe back pain, he had met many doctors and was under medication, but found no relief. I met him and saw the passion and determination in him to represent his country and state internationally. I am glad that we were able to contribute to his health and in some small way his career too. Radiofrequency ablation involves placing special needles near the nerves that transmit the sensation of pain to the affected facial joints by using an X-ray guide. A small area of this nerve is heated by an electric current, which is generated by radio waves using special equipment. RFA devices use an electrosurgical generator which is connected to the bipolar electrode arrays that deliver thermal energy to the tissue. It helps reduce the pain signals that pass through the nerves to the brain, which provides pain relief. This daycare procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and it can provide long-term relief from chronic pain. I recommend that anyone going through severe back pain must meet their physicians and consult a neurologist for a thorough examination.”

After the successful treatment, Karthik once again started practising weight lifting and is looking forward to participating and representing India at all international championships. Thanking Dr. Ravi Suman, Karthik said “I have gone through multiple orthopedic and neurological procedures, but nothing helped. I am forever grateful to Dr. Ravi Suman Reddy. I have gained strength and agility after the treatment. My doctor is kind and caring, and helped me immensely during my time of need. I thank him for doing everything that he did especially when I was having a hard time”.