By the Pain Management Team at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Matthias Wiederholz, MD
Updated April 2026
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that uses controlled heat to interrupt the small nerves responsible for transmitting chronic pain signals from a damaged joint or spinal level. For patients across the Princeton corridor, Mercer County, and the Trenton-Princeton metro who have been living with persistent low back, neck, or knee pain that has not improved with physical therapy, medication, or steroid injections, RFA can provide six to twelve months of meaningful relief without surgery or general anesthesia.
At the Lawrenceville office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located on Quakerbridge Road just minutes from U.S. Route 1 and the Princeton Junction rail corridor, Dr. Matthias Wiederholz performs radiofrequency ablation under fluoroscopic guidance to treat lumbar and cervical facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis. Every case begins with a careful evaluation and a diagnostic medial branch block to confirm the precise nerve source before any heat lesion is performed.
If conservative care has reached the limits of what it can do for you, RFA is one of the most thoroughly studied interventional pain procedures available and a natural next step for many central New Jersey patients.
What Is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation is a non-surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to generate a precise, controlled heat lesion on targeted nerve tissue. This heat disrupts the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain, providing relief that can last for several months or longer.
The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance, a form of real-time X-ray imaging that allows the treating physician to place the treatment needle with pinpoint accuracy. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) considers fluoroscopic or CT guidance mandatory for all facet joint interventions, including RFA (Manchikanti et al., Pain Physician, 2020).
RFA does not permanently destroy nerves. The targeted nerve fibers can regenerate over time, which is why pain may gradually return after 6 to 12 months or longer. When that happens, the procedure can be repeated. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that RFA provides statistically significant pain reduction for patients with lumbar facet joint and sacroiliac joint pain (Leggett et al., Pain Research & Management, 2014).
RFA is not appropriate for every type of pain. It works best when the pain source has been confirmed through a diagnostic nerve block prior to the procedure.
Conditions Treated with RFA in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville sits at the heart of one of the densest pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research corridors in the country, anchored by Bristol Myers Squibb, Educational Testing Service, the Lawrenceville School, Rider University, and the Princeton-area research community. The patients we see at the Quakerbridge Road office reflect that environment: long-tenured pharma scientists, ETS researchers, faculty and staff at local schools and universities, healthcare workers commuting to Penn Medicine Princeton or Capital Health, and active retirees from across Mercer County. Many have spent decades at a desk or bench, while others manage pain that has built up over years of standing, lifting, or commuting on Route 1 and the Northeast Corridor.
Conditions commonly treated with RFA at the Lawrenceville office include:
- Lumbar facet joint pain, the leading cause of axial low back pain in adults over 40 and a frequent finding in pharma researchers, ETS staff, prep-school faculty, and other knowledge workers whose long workdays at a desk gradually overload the small joints of the lower spine.
- Cervical facet joint pain and cervicogenic headaches, especially common in laboratory bench scientists, microscopy users, and dental and surgical providers across the Princeton-Trenton corridor whose work demands sustained forward head posture. A systematic review found Level II evidence supporting cervical facet RFA for chronic neck pain (Suer et al., Pain Physician, 2022).
- Sacroiliac joint pain, a frequent driver of one-sided low back and buttock pain in patients with prior lumbar surgery, obstetric history, or jobs that involve repeated lifting, climbing into vehicles, or extended driving on I-95 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
- Genicular nerve pain from knee osteoarthritis, a non-surgical option for active retirees on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, Lawrenceville School staff, and pre-replacement patients across central New Jersey who want to delay or avoid total knee replacement.
Each condition requires a confirmed diagnosis through a diagnostic medial branch or lateral branch block before RFA is recommended.
How Radiofrequency Ablation Works
The path from your first Lawrenceville consultation to a definitive radiofrequency procedure follows a deliberate, evidence-based sequence designed to confirm exactly which nerves are generating your pain before any treatment is performed. This protects you from undergoing a procedure that does not match your true pain source and gives you the best chance of meaningful, durable relief.
Step 1: Consultation and Evaluation
Your first visit at the Lawrenceville office begins with a comprehensive interventional pain evaluation. Dr. Wiederholz reviews your medical history, prior imaging, physical therapy notes, injection history, and current medications. A focused physical exam, range-of-motion testing, and pattern-of-pain analysis help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with facet joint, sacroiliac, or knee-mediated pain that may respond to RFA. If new imaging is needed, it can be coordinated locally rather than requiring a trip into Princeton or Trenton.
Step 2: Diagnostic Medial Branch Block
Before any radiofrequency lesion is performed, your physician uses a diagnostic medial branch block to confirm that the nerves you intend to treat are in fact the source of your pain. A small amount of local anesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves under live fluoroscopic guidance in the Lawrenceville office. If the block produces meaningful temporary pain relief, that result confirms those nerves are transmitting your pain signals and predicts a strong response to RFA. If the block does not relieve your pain, your team reassesses the diagnosis rather than proceeding with treatment that is unlikely to help.
Step 3: RFA Procedure Day in Lawrenceville
On procedure day, you arrive at the Quakerbridge Road office, where Dr. Wiederholz performs the radiofrequency procedure under fluoroscopic guidance. After the skin and deeper tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic, a thin specialized needle is advanced precisely to the targeted medial branch, lateral branch, or genicular nerve. A microelectrode at the tip delivers radiofrequency energy that heats the nerve tissue to a controlled, measured temperature, disrupting its ability to transmit pain signals while leaving surrounding muscle and bone unaffected.
The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish. Most patients walk out the same day and drive themselves home. Because Lawrenceville is car-dependent for most local errands and recovery, we provide written aftercare instructions for the first 24 to 48 hours so you know exactly what to expect on Quakerbridge Road, in your driveway, and at home. For broader context on related conditions, see our back pain treatment overview.
Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is one of the most thoroughly studied non-surgical options for chronic facet and sacroiliac joint pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that all three commonly used RFA techniques delivered significant pain improvement for up to 12 months with no serious complications reported (Shih et al., Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 2020).
Patients in central New Jersey commonly cite the following advantages when they choose RFA at the Lawrenceville office:
- Six to twelve months of meaningful relief. Many patients describe a return to walking the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, completing a full workday at ETS or BMS, or sleeping through the night again after months or years of disrupted rest.
- Truly minimally invasive. RFA uses a thin needle and local anesthetic. There are no incisions, no stitches, and no general anesthesia.
- Same-day, in-office procedure. Most Lawrenceville patients are home within an hour and back to light activity within two to three days, which fits the schedules of working professionals across the Princeton-Trenton corridor.
- Less reliance on chronic pain medication. By directly interrupting the pain signal, RFA can reduce the need for daily oral analgesics, an important goal for patients in safety-sensitive or evidence-conscious professions.
- Repeatable when relief fades. Because the targeted nerves naturally regenerate, the procedure can be safely repeated in the same office to maintain control of your pain.
- Surgery-sparing. For patients exploring alternatives to spinal fusion or knee replacement, RFA is a proven interventional option that fits between conservative care and surgery.
Your individual results will depend on your specific diagnosis, the nerves treated, and how your body responds to the procedure.
Risks and What to Expect After RFA
Radiofrequency ablation is considered a low-risk procedure, but every Lawrenceville patient receives a frank discussion of possible side effects before consenting to treatment.
Common, self-limiting effects (typically resolve within one to two weeks):
- Mild soreness or a deep ache at the treatment site
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation in the treated area
- Minor bruising or local swelling
Rare effects:
- Infection at the needle insertion site
- Prolonged numbness or new nerve irritation
- Allergic reaction to the local anesthetic
Serious complications from RFA are uncommon. The Shih et al. (2020) meta-analysis cited above reported no serious complications across the studies reviewed.
Recovery and seasonal considerations:
Most Lawrenceville patients return to light daily activity within a few days. Mild soreness at the procedure site is normal for one to two weeks. The full pain-relieving effect typically develops over two to four weeks as the treated nerve responds to the heat lesion. Because central New Jersey winters bring ice, snow, and slick driveways, we will discuss home setup and entryway safety with patients scheduling during winter months. Spring and fall offer the easiest outdoor recovery windows. A follow-up visit is scheduled at the Lawrenceville office to evaluate your response and adjust your care plan if needed.
Why Choose Performance Pain for RFA in Lawrenceville
Choosing the right practice for radiofrequency ablation matters. RFA outcomes depend on accurate diagnosis, precise needle placement under live fluoroscopy, and disciplined patient selection. These require a physician with extensive training in interventional pain management and a team that knows the patients of central New Jersey, the rhythms of the Princeton corridor, and the realities of commuting on Route 1 and the Northeast Corridor.
At Performance Pain and Sports Medicine in Lawrenceville, RFA is performed by:
- Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD — Founder of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine and quadruple board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Wiederholz brings decades of fluoroscopy-guided interventional experience and was the first physician to bring Discseel® to New Jersey. He sees patients from Princeton, Princeton Junction, Pennington, Hopewell, Hamilton, Ewing, Plainsboro, West Windsor, and Trenton at the Lawrenceville office.
The Lawrenceville office is located on Quakerbridge Road, a short drive from Bristol Myers Squibb, ETS, The Lawrenceville School, Rider University, and the historic Main Street village. It accepts most major medical insurance plans, Medicare, and workers’ compensation cases from local pharma, healthcare, and education employers.
Patients considering biologic alternatives to RFA for joint or tendon pain can also explore PRP therapy in Lawrenceville.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Lawrenceville
Address: 4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Major Cross Streets: Quakerbridge Road at Province Line Road, just off U.S. Route 1
Nearby Landmarks: Quaker Bridge Mall, Bristol Myers Squibb Lawrenceville campus, Educational Testing Service
Parking: Free on-site parking
Phone: 609-588-8600
Conveniently located between Princeton and Trenton along the U.S. Route 1 research corridor, the Lawrenceville office serves patients from Princeton, Pennington, Hopewell, Hamilton, Ewing, Plainsboro, West Windsor, Robbinsville, and the wider Mercer County and Bucks County communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About RFA in Lawrenceville
Is the radiofrequency ablation procedure available in Lawrenceville?
Yes. Both the diagnostic medial branch block and the radiofrequency ablation are performed at the Lawrenceville office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located at 4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112. Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD, performs RFA under fluoroscopic guidance for patients across the Princeton corridor, Mercer County, and the wider Trenton-Princeton metro. Most insurance plans, Medicare, and workers’ compensation cases cover medically necessary RFA. Call 609-588-8600 or request an appointment online.
Do you accept workers' compensation for pharma, healthcare, and prep-school staff injuries?
Yes. The Lawrenceville office regularly treats workers’ compensation patients from Bristol Myers Squibb, Educational Testing Service, Penn Medicine Princeton, Capital Health, RWJBarnabas, The Lawrenceville School, Rider University, and other major Mercer County employers. We coordinate with case managers and adjusters and document objective findings that support appropriate work status decisions. Call 609-588-8600 to discuss your specific case.
Do you accept referrals from Princeton-area primary care, neurosurgeons, and orthopedists?
Yes. Dr. Wiederholz routinely accepts referrals from Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Capital Health, RWJBarnabas / RWJUH Hamilton, St. Francis Medical Center, and independent primary care, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic, and physical therapy practices across Mercer, Bucks, and Hunterdon counties. Most patients are seen within one to two weeks. Records can be sent through your referring practice or directly to the Lawrenceville office at 609-588-8600.
How long does radiofrequency ablation last?
Most Lawrenceville patients experience six to twelve months of meaningful pain relief. Some report relief well beyond a year. Because the treated nerves can regenerate over time, pain may gradually return. When it does, RFA can be repeated in the same office. Clinical evidence supports significant pain reduction lasting up to 12 months across multiple RFA techniques (Shih et al., 2020).
Is radiofrequency ablation painful?
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Dr. Wiederholz applies a generous local anesthetic to numb the skin and deeper tissues before any RFA needle is placed. You may feel a brief sensation of pressure or warmth during the radiofrequency portion. Mild oral sedation is available for patients who prefer it for comfort or anxiety.
How long is recovery after RFA at the Lawrenceville office?
Most patients return to light daily activities within two to three days. Mild soreness at the treatment site is common for one to two weeks. The full pain-relieving effect typically develops over two to four weeks. Because winter ice and snow can affect mobility in central New Jersey, your team will discuss seasonal recovery considerations and home setup at your follow-up visit.
Does insurance cover radiofrequency ablation?
Most insurance plans cover RFA when it is medically necessary and a diagnostic medial branch block has confirmed the pain source. Coverage details vary by plan. Call the Lawrenceville office at 609-588-8600 to confirm your benefits before scheduling.
What is the difference between a nerve block and RFA?
A medial branch block is a diagnostic injection that temporarily numbs a target nerve to confirm it is the source of your pain. Radiofrequency ablation is the therapeutic procedure that follows, using a controlled heat lesion to interrupt that same nerve for longer-lasting relief. The block typically lasts hours; the RFA can provide six to twelve months or more of relief.
Schedule Your Lawrenceville RFA Consultation
If chronic back pain, neck pain, or knee pain has not responded to physical therapy, medication, or steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation may help you find lasting relief without surgery. Patients across central New Jersey are welcome to schedule a consultation at the Lawrenceville office to discuss whether RFA is right for your condition.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Lawrenceville
4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-588-8600
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented reflects an interventional pain management perspective and is intended to support, not substitute, your relationship with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary based on diagnosis, pain duration, overall health, and response to treatment. Some procedures may not be covered by insurance. Treatment outcomes depend on proper patient selection and accurate diagnosis. Always consult a board-certified physician before pursuing any pain management treatment.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Medically reviewed by Matthias Wiederholz, MD
Quadruple Board-Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Regenerative Medicine
Last reviewed: April 2026
