Biaculoplasty

What is a Biaculoplasty?

Biaculoplasty uses an advanced type of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) to treat painful discs from the inside.
By applying the energy of the RFA to the inner portion of the disc, one can effectively denervate a damaged disc (rendering it painless) and also repair some of the damaged collagen within the disc.

What is involved in a Biaculoplasty?

Your procedure will involve you being given intravenous sedation by an anaesthetist to help you relax during the procedure.
It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in a hospital theatre or day procedure centre under specialised imaging guidance which allows the Doctor to safely perform the Biaculoplasty.

Before your Procedure

Blood thinning products may be required to be stopped prior to the procedure. You will be advised when to stop taking these medications and re-start these medications by your doctor when the admission date is arranged.
You can still take all your other regular medications the morning of your procedure with a sip of water. Insulin dependent diabetics will most likely be at the beginning of the list. You will be required to bring your insulin with you and it may be administered to you following the procedure.
Hospital staff will call you the day before your procedure to advise you of your fasting and admission times.
You must NOT eat, drink, smoke or chew gum prior to your procedure.
You will be required to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure as you will not be able to drive for 5 days following the procedure.

Activity guidelines after the procedure

Patients should wear a lumbar back brace for 6-8 weeks except when showering or in bed
Rest for 1-3 days after the procedure in a comfortable position (i.e. lying down or reclining)
Limit sitting or walking to 10-20 minutes at a time

Return to work

If a patient’s work is sedentary, they may return to work in roughly two weeks
For other jobs, especially physically demanding jobs, the decision should be made on a case by case basis

Driving

Patients should not drive for the first 5 days after the procedure, and driving should be limited to 20-30 minutes for the first 6 weeks
Vehicles should be equipped with proper lumbar support
As a passenger, patients should recline the seat and try to limit driving duration to less than 45 minutes for the first 6 weeks
It is okay for patients to recline or lie down in the back seat and be driven home the day of your procedure

Sitting

Limit to 30-45 minutes at a time for the first 6 weeks in a chair with good support
Patients should avoid sitting on soft couches or chairs
Patients should stand and walk about for short breaks between sitting periods
The patient was also instructed to contact my office and/or proceed to an Emergency Room should any problems arise prior to scheduled follow-up

The advice above is intended as a guide and each patient should discuss specific instructions with their care team.

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