Any get an ablation/rhizotomy for back pain? Results? Do it again?

When they stop working, I’m assuming the stop gradually?

What do you experience when they fail?

Thanks,
K

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.

Hi,
Wow, we sure seem to go through some heck of a body break-downs as we age.

I’ve had 3 or 4 epidurals since my surgery. Ended up switching pain docs per my Ortho. First epidural lasted a short time, 2nd much longer - months.

I had an L4-5 lami w/fusion and spacers on12/19/22. Woke up without left leg sciatica - I was elated!

Over time my SI joints just locked up. I can’t walk > 5 houses (~200 feet max) before I have to stop, lean forward with my hands on my knees.

None of my docs in FL think I need more than IB!! Thank God my doc in GA still writes for my Valium and Oxycodone. I should be a raving junky, but I take one 10 mg tab at night if I need it. Can go weeks without needing it. 2 weeks ago, it was every night. Now back to nothing.

Ironically, to renew my DEA, I have to take an 8 hr course on dealing with SUD substance use disorder. I have never written for pain meds, ever - strictly ADHD meds.

From people who have taken this course it is a waste of time if one is not practicing addiction medicine. I’m not.

It’s not chronic pain sufferers who OD, it’s kids who buy God only knows what, which is laced with Fentanyl.

Because of these idiots, we have to suffer and every provider with a DEA has to take a course that is ‘window dressing’ for the DEA. Now they can say, ‘we have rolled out a new program where everyone with a DEA, has to take MATE’.

Meanwhile, kids/addicted people will keep dying. Not because of licensed providers, but through illegally imported drugs.

I have had both RFA’s and epidurals in my upper and lower back. Also had RFA in shoulders as well, which I do not think went well. The RFA’s and epidurals in my lower and upper backs seem to work. Just doing a block in my back does not last long. I really would like RFA in my upper back again, but I’m being told insurance won’t pay for more than two shots a year. Right now I’m trying to determine with insurance company if I have left back on and right back on that two shots a year? To me that should be one shot in two areas.. upper back the worse right now. Last lower back injections were a while ago. I have DISH And it is wreaking havoc throughout my body. I was very happy that I have a new cardiologist locally. I also have a cardiothoracic surgeon in Albany , And I was very happy that the local cardiologist was aware and knew about DISH.
As always, I do wish everybody good health and less pain. 🙏

I regularly get back and neck nerve ablations - every couple of years. I can now drive again‼️after 7 years of being unable to drive because I couldn’t turn my head due to Cervical Dystonia. I highly recommend it!! No ill effects that I’ve noticed. The ablation needs to be repeated because the nerves grow back. I’m a patient of Dr. Kyle Heron at Darroch Brain and Spine in Modesto, CA.
I wish you good luck in your search for less pain and more ease of movement 💕

I can watch and see how quickly scoliosis progresses before resorting to a fusion. lots of if’s!
I'm with you on this ~ well see how quickly scoliosis progresses before resorting to a fusion. there are lots of if’s!

I found a surgeon that says he can (shim L3 L4) that should relive most of my pain ! ! ! I want to ask him about the progression as I feel my right hip is under / inside my rib cage. Continued progression cant be good, not sure where the point of progression is to far for repair or fusion ?

@rwdixon4 I am a spine surgery patient, but not for scoliosis. My surgeon at Mayo (Jeremy Fogelson) is deformity expert who does scoliosis procedures. I thought you may want to look at these discussions with other members about scoliosis in the Spine Health Group. I'm sure making a decision on treatment in your situation is difficult. You've probably been advised to get several opinions from different medical centers.

Scoliosis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scoliosis-3/
Severe scoliosis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-scoliosis-1/
Spine surgery for scoliosis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spine-surgery-for-scoliosis/
Bone health and scoliosis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bone-health-and-scoliosis/

I had the shots 4 days ago.
It was my 4th time with these shots, but the first 3 did not work at all.
The last one, lasted 3 and 1/2 days. I forgot what is was like to be without back pain.
But I didn't forget what the pain is like!

So, I had my 4 ablations - L5/S1, bilaterally Monday (7/8).

What a God-send!!

I also found out, the epidurals this doc was doing have been facet joint blocks - 2X, and not epidurals at all! Additionally found out I have hardware on both sides of my spine!

I was/am so embarrassed that A. I had no idea about the extent of my surgery, even after reviewing my X-rays w/Ortho; and B. That the procedures I thought I was getting were not in fact what I got!! Even w/my referring to the facet injections as epidurals, neither the doc nor tech felt the need to correct me?!!

I saw Ortho 7/17 and got a shot of steroids on right side at ~L4. (Pain doc wouldn’t do ablation there bc it wasn’t on the order. Asked him for a prescription pad, told him I’ll order it myself! He declined!)

While reviewing my x-rays, (always in the ‘lateral view’, Ortho did such a great job lining up my scaffolding, that I never saw the 2 pieces. Nor the cross piece. I also have a spacer in there. No wonder I set off the X-ray machines when I fly.

Wow, to not be in pain, to get out of my car without dragging myself along the left side, to be able to go to Mass and get into the sit/stand/kneel positions is mind-blowing - in such a good way!!

Now I’m wondering - how long does it last, and is there anything I can do to make it worse again - not purposely of course, but cleaning, reaching/twisting, etc.

Y’all who have had the ablations, when they wear off, is it sudden, gradual? I realize we are all different, just wondering.

Thanks in advance,
Karen

I believe there is a new procedure that will actually remove this nerve. One of my neurosurgeons just took training on cadavers for this procedure. Do not know much more except it is not being offered by this team currently.

I am going to try an ablation soon.
Tamra