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radiofrequency ablation with spinal facets

Posted , 4 users are following.

karen97151
karen97151

I just had this done and I wonder how quickly most people feel results.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • allaroundanne
    allaroundanne karen97151

    Posted

    I have had this done several times and it usually takes me a couple of weeks to get over the pain of the ablation itself-- which I usually liken to stirring up the hornet's nest.  As that pain ebbs the pain that it was meant to treat usually either doesn't come back at all, or is just a shadow of itself.  So, that's been my usual course, I have horrible pain from the block for about 2 weeks and then over the next 2 weeks as that calms down I can see whether the block worked and the pain we were treating is gone or not. Usually for me with a successful block, when the burning from the ablation is gone, I have no more pain at all.

    • ctrix1
      ctrix1 allaroundanne

      Posted

      For me, there's always a certain degree of trauma associated with the RFA procedure. The numbness from the anesthetic immediately afterwards and from where the probes went in. Once immediately after the procedure, I asked "What was that really hot portion of the procedure? " And she told me "That's where I didn't numb the area enough" I find that the ice packs help speed up the recovery right afterwards. The cold against the skin is a little rough at first, especially in the winter, but the next day, things are a lot better.

  • KathleenColand
    KathleenColand karen97151

    Posted

    Hi Karen, I had the radio frequency ablation done several years ago on my lumbar area L45, L5S1,  after I had several Cortizone injections. It did help took two or three weeks to work. But I have gotten beyond that and head fusions done. I just had the ablation done on the SI nerves ( 8 4 each side,  it has been six weeks and unfortunately doesn’t appear to be helping ). Everyone is different and the reaction is different. How long ago did you have it done?
    • karen97151
      karen97151 KathleenColand

      Posted

      Just last week.  I sometimes think it is working, but then again maybe not.  I am cautiously optimistic.  Thanks for your reply.
    • ctrix1
      ctrix1 karen97151

      Posted

      Also, I think the steroid epidural takes away more pain (maybe 50%) but doesn't last as long as the RFA

  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 karen97151

    Posted

    For me it takes two or three days to fully kick in. It only reduces my overall pain by maybe 30%, but that's significant to me. I get the RFA procedure, then two months later I get a steroid epidural injection. Then two months after that, another RFA. I Alternate each every four months.

    • KathleenColand
      KathleenColand ctrix1

      Posted

      You sound like me. The cortisone injections only last 7-8 weeks and it is like night and day from it wearing off ugh!! The RFA  for 8 - Si nerves didn’t do anything and I paid for it out of pocket because my insurance wouldn’t pay for it. Even after a 1 on 1 with my MD.   So here I am again waiting to get another appt (June 17) to get another cortisone inj.  Now the hip and knee starts geez, what the heck. Now they are going to send me to PT due to tightnness and atrophy. Maybe that’s because my excercisr is limited due to pain sad  what the heck? 
    • allaroundanne
      allaroundanne ctrix1

      Posted

      That routine started having diminishing returns for me, I went the spinal cord stimulator route and I am so glad I did, bye bye back pain. Zippo, nada, none. I couldn't believe it, it happened right away with the trial and again with the permanent.

      Lynn

    • KathleenColand
      KathleenColand allaroundanne

      Posted

      Thank you so much for that post.  We almost never hear anything positive.  If I had to, I was scared from all the negative posts and failure to reduce pain. 
    • karen97151
      karen97151 KathleenColand

      Posted

      It is all about the PT these days.  I have had some success with it in the past but more often I end up in more pain.  I have tried chiropractors also.  Sometimes it seems like that helps for awhile but pain always comes back.  I am 73 years old, almost 74, and I guess this is the way it is.  Back problems run in my family; modern medicine isn't doing the miracles I expected by now.  Hopefully my daughters won't have to deal with this.  Maybe my grandaughters won't.  Let's hope.

    • KathleenColand
      KathleenColand allaroundanne

      Posted

      Hi.  If you don’t mind my asking?, Where did you have your nerves stimulator put in? I live north of New York City and was wondering if maybe you’re possibly in my area. I think a lot has to do with who does it and where it is done. And since you had good luck that’s always a plus. Thank you
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