Hi I am new to this forumn but not to spine issues. I have had both neck and lower back pain for about thirty years. About 15 years ago, an MRI showed that my L-5 had ruptured years ago and there was nothing in the space except some dried powder. I have lots of spurs etc in my cervical spine. About 7 years ago, I was loosing control of the fingers on my right hand and had a two level foramenectomy with NO fusion. The neurosurgeon said that a large spur was compressing the motor nerve that controls the hands. The surgery successfully addressed the problem. About three years ago, I started to have increased neck pain. My traps are in chronic spasm and I have limited ROM. I have tried PT, had deep tissue massages and taken flexerol to no avail. I tried facet injections which did not help. Two weeks ago, I had a diagnostic three level nerve block on my left side. It definitely reduced the pain/tension for a few hours. I am now scheduled for radiofrequency ablation at the levels tested. Has anyone had experience with this proceedure?
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roxygirl, welcome to our site, we are just starting to get people back after the shutdown. I haven't had this procedure but I have been here since 1998 and have read of many others that have gone through this. Most have been pleased with the results and your diagnostic injections indicate that you could be a good candidate for success. I hope it works well for you and you get some immediate relief.1979 spinal issues, 1993 lumbar microdisectomy L3-4, 1996 360 3 level lumbar fusion L2-5, 1999 open thoractomy fusion T8-9,
2002 C3-7 herniations and T4-7 herniations, 2004 total disability, a new limited life -
Hi ~ I've had the procedure done on the lower back, and unfortunately I didn't have any improvement at all. The procedure itself was a snap -- there wasn't any terrible pain afterwards. It was just a dull ache that was made better by ice. I had so hoped that it would work, but oh well. LOL I sure hope it is effective for YOU. I know how awful the pain is. I'll keep you in my prayers -- PLEASE let us know how you come out. God bless. Hugs, LeeRecovering alcoholic, sober since 7-29-93;
severe DDD; sciatica; osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, 2 spinal surgeries, SCS implant & removal, morphine pump trial-didn't work, umpteen injections/epidurals/trigger points,rhizotomy, Racz procedure, etc., therapy, 4 more herniations, now inoperable; lumpectomy, radiation therapy~breast cancer survivor,fibromyalgia;depression; heart attack. On disability.Comment
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Thank you for your responses. I am also keeping my fingers crossed. If the left side works, then the doctor will do a
diagnostic block on the other side. Even if I get 70% relief, I would be absolutely thrilledComment
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roxygirl, good luck 70% less pain would be great. I hope all goes well.1979 spinal issues, 1993 lumbar microdisectomy L3-4, 1996 360 3 level lumbar fusion L2-5, 1999 open thoractomy fusion T8-9,
2002 C3-7 herniations and T4-7 herniations, 2004 total disability, a new limited lifeComment
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Sadly I wasn't a candidate for this, which sucked because we found the pain generator during the diagnostics. I've heard many people have gotten relief though, so hopefully you will be one of them :)
Good Luck!-Fused L3-S1 (3 surgeries, last one 1-12-11)
-4 Surgeries for infections, last one 2-15-11
-T-spine 11-12 cyst, 7-8 deformity, DDD throughout, and stenosis at several levelsComment
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RoxyGirl, when is your procedure? Let us know how it works for you as some people have a lot of success with it.1979 spinal issues, 1993 lumbar microdisectomy L3-4, 1996 360 3 level lumbar fusion L2-5, 1999 open thoractomy fusion T8-9,
2002 C3-7 herniations and T4-7 herniations, 2004 total disability, a new limited lifeComment
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Radio-frequency ablation
I just had the procedure yesterday. It is early to tell if it worked. The doctor said that it takes about three
weeks to know if it was successful. The practice I went to has for physiatrists. One does all of the radio-frequency ablation, one all of the discography etc etc. They do it that way so each one is highly specialized in a
procedure. Now, the area is sore and bruised feeling. It is not horrible but I know that someone stuck needles/probes in there. I am icing and taking Tylenol. I will keep you postedComment
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Roxygirl, good luck, I hope it provides the relief you felt with the block you had previously. I hope you feel reduced pain right now and that it gets better over the next few weeks.1979 spinal issues, 1993 lumbar microdisectomy L3-4, 1996 360 3 level lumbar fusion L2-5, 1999 open thoractomy fusion T8-9,
2002 C3-7 herniations and T4-7 herniations, 2004 total disability, a new limited lifeComment
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I'm hoping right along with Mark, Roxy!! Maybe by the time you read our posts you will be feeling MUCH better!!-Fused L3-S1 (3 surgeries, last one 1-12-11)
-4 Surgeries for infections, last one 2-15-11
-T-spine 11-12 cyst, 7-8 deformity, DDD throughout, and stenosis at several levelsComment
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Radio Ablations
Hi, Roxy,
Wish I had gotten back here before your ablation- how did it turn out? I have them regularly, in my cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas and the effectiveness varies a bit. Did you have a few high pain days afterwards or did you immediately feel ready to climb the nearest mountain?
I'm curious to hear more about how it worked out for you, and side effects you had and any tips you may want to share with others. For example, I always find it helpful to put a "bed buddy" hot/cold pack in the freezer before i have the ablation done and then use it cold for up to 20 minutes at a time on the bandaged ablation area for the first few days post-op.
So sorry more folks were not here to welcome you and help you out beforehand, Take care- AerynComment
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I am going to have ablation done next Tuesday and looking forward to seeing if I will feel much better. Steroid injections a few times helped some, but hopefull quieting the nerves will be sucessful.
Having mine done at Emory University Spine Center in Atlanta GA.Comment
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Only on my heart, for arrhythmia. I suppose that would be completely different. It was 90% successful. I have problems with my hands also, and both arms. I have had artificial disc replacement at two levels in my neck. It improved things a bit, but my neck aches quite a lot when I'm tired. So what you are going for might very well be the very best option for you. Best anyway to try all the more conservative measures first. All the best, and remain positive at all times!!cardiac ablation 1997. prolapsed disc 1992. L5S1 fusion 2003 (failed, bad screw in spinal canal) Lumpectomy 2005, Carpel tunnel bilateral 2005.Prolapses bowel, bladder, uterus, V. Vault rectocele,repaired.2005. Sacral implant failed 2006. further prolapsed bowel. Subsequent ileostomy, removal of colon, rectum,. 2009. removal of bad screw, more metal work L4/5/S1 to stabilise.2010 cervical ADR 2 levels. Hypothyroid. retired 2003, further cervical stenosis problems. on pension& disabilityComment
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Radiofrequency Ablation
I've had it done twice with an MBB. Neither time did I receive any pain relief. I don't know why. Maybe the docs were in the wrong place. The doctor I am seeing now is an addiction doctor because I was looking for a doctor who subscribed Suboxone. That hasn't been great either. I am now seeing a neurologist at the Univ of Calif. San Francisco. I hope he will help me. Twenty plus years and no relief or answers from any of the doctors I've seen. Yes, I'm very depressed.
Sorry I wasn't any assistance, but thank you for reading my post.
BarbaraComment
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Hi! How did you make out? I had 2 medial branch blocks which worked great, but the relief only lasted about two weeks. Then I had the Radiofrequency ablation, which did nothing and which was excruciating. I think the one doing the test must be very experienced. And, I've had six lumbar surgeries so my lower spine is full of hardware and scar tissue making it hard to navigate to get the needles where they need to be. Anyway, Medicare will pay for the MBB every other month, so I'll continue with them, since they work. And maybe over time, the cumulative effect will help the relief last longer.
Good luck to anyone trying this procedure and please share your experiences!Herniated L4/L5 1998, Lami 8/99, Fusion 10/99, Fusion with Hardware 11/00, 2/13/06 fusion on L3/L4, emerg surgery 2/26/06 to stop spinal fluid leak and MRSA,3/10/10 Herniated L2/L3, fusion, replace hardware L3/4Comment
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