Ablation for lower back pain L4-5 S1

I had radio frequency ablation for cervical stenosis and facet joint syndrome (severe). After ablation on both the left and right side of my upper spine and at multiple levels I have had much improvement. All of the pain is not gone but things are much better. I hope you get similar results.

I have similar pain and I'm scheduled for a stimulator in a few wks. Two pain docs told me an ablation would not help my condition

Just make sure they give you enough anesthetic because it is a painful procedure.

It works pretty well for 6 Mos to a year. I had three

Do they do the RFAs on the nerves in the facet joints ?

I about flew off the table as well with the nerve block. And the bigger problem was it after taking the block I kept falling down. Even in the dressing room. So I really couldn’t test very well if it eliminated the pain.

I also had the ablation and it really didn’t bother me at all (take a Xanax first), but the ablation did zero for me.

Yes. https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/radiofrequency-ablation-rfa-procedure-and-recovery
They can also be done in the sacro-iliac joint.

jsyjackmayo,
I have had many RFAs they only help me for a week or so but I figure that's better than nothing and the required test before the RFA would give me relief for a day! I have also had the spine stimulator implanted I would rate it as less helpful than a tens, at least with a tens I would feel relief at the site while it was on and as long as it didn't get caught on something and come unpluged. With the tens I was always having problems with it getting caught on something or just bumping on stuff. With the stimulator you have to wear the belt with the (I call it a mini MRI attachment) to charge it for HRs on end once it is charged I can only feel the stimulation going down my leg ? It is a Medtronic spine stimulator with 3 stations.....I also have a pain pump implant that is a Medtronic. If when I get the spine fusion the surgeon made a comment (Let's get that pain pump out of you ?) Well see about that ?

I’m having a lumbar ablation today and was wondering if those who have had one can let me know if the recovery is painful, and how long does the recovery take?
Thank you!

I had RFA on both sides (Bilateral) on 3 levels. It is an out patient procedure. Once done in 30 minutes or less, you get up, dress and leave. There is only some discomfort for that day, but the trail is more important.
My Dr was too excited about my 1.0hr of relief. I felt it wasn't worth it as a simply epidural lasted 1 1/2 days.
After all, it is up to you to decide if it helps and how long does it last. Don't be afraid to tell the Dr no!
Now, if it last for weeks, my experience was it doesn't get better. It's like taking an aspirin! If your head aches stops after 30 minutes and doesn't come back, great! But if your headache returns in 1 hour, it's not worth it. The actual RFA maybe stronger (I don't know-they don't say) but a headache maybe back 2-3 days later. Then it's not worth it!
Mine was lumbar from S1-L2. This is a long and large area. I told him twice that the bottom started hurting an hour later as it wore off completely. He jumped off his seat (38 years of pain management) But it worked right? Yeh, but only an hour. Remember, they don't get paid unless they do something! They get eager to do something even though it may not last long! Why do it?
If the water pump on your car lasted 12 years, but remanufactured last 8 days, what is wrong? It should last 12 years so get the coolant system flushed with good chemicals, install a new one with 12 years of working right.
Hope I made sense by providing an analogy! DK. Best of luck!

I have had it done on my right side. For me recovery was not bad but my knee kept going numb. I had to use a cane for like a week but that was about it.