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Any get an ablation/rhizotomy for back pain? Results? Do it again?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 23 4:08pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
Hey Tam,
Thanks for the info. While I am afraid to do something as permanent as a rhizotomy (ablation). I think I should be more afraid of the potential for infection that the neural stimulator may cause.
When I think of the surgery to implant it into my body (likely in the abdomen), with wires running internally to the site - lower back - the possibility of them getting dislodged, with another surgery to reattach them.
Heck, if the worse that happens with a failed ablation is continued pain, with no risk of paralysis, being made worse or infection - I may do the ablation.
I keep changing my mind…….
Replies to "Hey Tam, Thanks for the info. While I am afraid to do something as permanent as..."
The docs told me an ablation is not permanent, but can last longer than an epidural. The nerve is electronically burned I think, but eventually grows back.
My pain dr has done 2 diagnostic injections on my neck with the goal of a reduction in pain of more than, is it 50% ? If it works, it leads to an ablation on that nerve.
The reduction in pain was good for a few hours the first time, not much the 2nd time.
I’m thinking it won’t help much if at all to do an ablation on me.
I hope it helps for you, if you decide to do it!
My neurosurgeon is going to do an emg to trace the origins of nerve pain (I hope!) then do a nerve block. In hopes of finding the source of pain, I wish you much success in finding yours!
I had a RFA above and below my L4-5 fusion. It didn’t seem to take. They next did an SI epidural on left and right. It has helped immensly. I have DJD in neck and back. Also have RA and fibromyalgia. My pain mgmt has been very helpful with my pain and care. Although I hate taking hydrocodone but it does help. I also have a neurostimulator in lumbar. Good luck, it is a hard way to live.
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I have decided against
trying the stimulator but am looking into the ablation this upcoming week. I am also going to call this surgeon’s assistant to see what the procedure he just trained on is called.
I will report back. IF the ablation takes away stabbing pain on my left side, it could buy me another year.
And if there is a permanent way to remove this nerve by then… maybe that will be a longer term solution and I can watch and see how quickly scoliosis progresses along with stenosis before resorting to a fusion. lots of if’s!
Tam