Radio frequency nerve blocking

i've had it done 3 times, first 2 no results on the third we changed levels, 17 months now with much improvement not perfect but much better than before

Hi Jason,

I had a procedure called a Radio Frequency Denervation......if that is the one you are referring to if worked remarkably well for me - MARVELOUS in fact !

I had treatment in UK - St Thomas's hospital pain management team - I had previously tried the steroid injections and they worked for a short while - which showed them I was a good candidate for the Denervation. I had facet joints rubbing together and severe inflammation with the pain!

I had the Denervation in May 2015 !!! Initially I had a major 'flare-up' for about 6-8 weeks and thought I had made a big mistake BUT one day I woke up and it was all gone....I was 70% pain free at least - it may not sound much to people who are not in pain but that is a huge % when you are. I was able to move around fairly easily (obviously needed to be careful with heavy duty stuff) but the inflammation had gone and my mobility was so much improved. Fantastic...

Since last June I have been on steroids for another health issue and as I gradually reduced the dose my back pain started again.....the cauterized nerves had started to grow again.

I have had a recent MRI of the spine which showed up multiple issues with the spine - even 3 fractured vertebrae, 2 bulging discs etc and my pain is now going through the roof and I am scheduled to have another Denervation but also need to see a neurosurgeon for the other problems but frankly I would have the Denervation in a heart beat.....so which ever comes first, neurosurgeon or Denervation......but despite all the other problems that may need surgical intervention, I want pain relief without taking constant opiates.

The only downside is that without pain after cauterizing the nerves, possible other things were going on in the back ground that I was not aware of but I don't think so...each problem had their own symptoms/pain problems.

I would also add that my pain relieved since 2015 from just one Denervation was somewhat a rare thing...some people don't get so long...their nerves may grow back at a quicker rate - but judging from my experience I wouldn't hesitate.

Sorry for such a long reply...and good luck if you go ahead....my spine is degenerating fairly quickly now (but I am in my 70's and knew it would) I had a disc removed in '87 and that was the beginning of my slippery slope. I think the fractures occured during a total knee replacement 18 months ago as my bone denisty scan was excellent and showed no osteoporosis........ but am told orthopaedic surgery can be fairly brutal ! KR Maggie x

My husband had the nerve block procedure done about a month prior to having a TKR and it was very successful. He would do it again if he had to but hopefully, he won't (have to). No side effects. The surgeon said it would help with a faster recovery after the TKR and he has done amazingly well. Even the surgeon is impressed.

The "cold" version of this is called COOLIEF, an FDA-approved procedure. The use of high-speed cold water in the probes allows for the them to affect a greater area. Supposed to be excellent for joints (especially osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and shoulder) and other issues. I just had a situation where I wrenched my hip and damaged the area where the gluteus minor and media muscles attach to the trochantor of the hip under the bursar...just short of a tear. Stabbing pain for four months with no relief from anti-inflammatories or chiropractic.

Went to their website and found a local doc with lots of experience in the procedure. He did an MRI to confirm the affected area. Fifteen minute op under sedation. Immediate relief from the op and the steroid injection. Needed a little help sleeping for the next two days as the steroid wore off. I can report at two weeks post-op that the sharp pain is actually completely gone to be replaced by a dull ache that reduces in intensity daily. Doc said that it would take a few weeks for that to dissipate and that full relief is usually attained in 4-8 weeks.

I've had four knee scopes (two each side) many years ago and successfully used SynVisc to avoid the resulting deterioration and pain. Moved to a warmer climate and needed nothing for years more. Had a left TKR three years ago as there was nothing else the surgeon could offer. Now that I know about COOLIEF, I will absolutely go that route before doing the second TKR. Doc says he has many patients who come back to him for the treatment every 2-3 years to avoid a TKR. Yes, someday it may be inevitable but my experience with the hip has convinced me that the procedure works and is a viable alternative in delaying a TKR. Just my opinion.

hi guys ,I recently had 6 needles put into my back to try and give me some pain relief,after a failed knee replacement and suffering with depression I had a really hard time mentally leading up to the procedure,due to the failed knee replacement, I guess I've lost confidence in the whole medical thing ,anyway after a huge struggle I ended up having the back procedure done ,it only gave me relief for 2 days, then the pain returned ,there was an increase of pain in the 2 days ,and by day 3 all pain was back, anyone had this problem ,and now I think they want to do it again ,mentally I'm not sure I can do it ,does anyone know of any other things they can do