Focused ultrasound therapy is an early-stage, non-invasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with arthritis. This technology involves precise and accurate focusing of ultrasound energy beams on the specific targets in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissues. Three types of ultrasound beams are used: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) produces precise thermal destruction of tissue, tumours, or gallstone, hence enabling orthopaedic diseases to be treated without surgery.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an invasive procedure where needles are inserted into the back to heat and destroy the sensory nerves surrounding the affected lumbar facet and SI joints, causing pain. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment is another non-invasive localized thermal ablation…
