Ablation in the back

it CAN be permanent. It just depends on a lot of factors - like where the pain is really originating.

I've had ablatia over 25 years and I TOTALLY recommend it! Totally! it was a super great solution for me until the pain was coming from the spine vertebrae crushing my nerves and causing pain and not the facet joints. I recommend the "heat" type. There is a "pulse" type but that didn't work for me. Sometimes they have to repeat it. I couldn't sleep from the pain being referred to the front of my legs. It totally stopped it for 15 years. Then I went back for more but the pain was coming from my spine and not the facet joints so surgery was next. I am about to do the entire route over again as more of my lumbar is deteriorated outside of the areas originally treated.

I’m glad you had great success with ablation. After the first round of “testing “ to make sure they’re locating the affected nerves, I had little to no relief. I’ve read some horror stories about ablation and I’ve grown leery of the process. I’ve spoken to others about regenerative or laser treatments and most likely will pursue those options.

my doctor ALWAYS did a diagnostic test before the ablatia to determine if he was going to be successful with the ablatia. It does indeed not work for some because their pain is not coming from the facet joints. That is the whole point of the diagnostic testing. It is a non invasive treatment so I don't know what kind of "horror stories" exist. They put a needle in, heat it up, you are done. Of course, it needs to be done by a qualified doctor! Using "guided" imagery!

Boy, do I understand how you’re feeling. Activities I took for granted such as walking the dog, yard work, working out and simply picking up certain items now can be quite painful. I try not to complain about it as I know others have far greater issues than I do. But it’s difficult not to feel a bit saddened that my final years might be plagued with pain. I do think I’m going to pursue regenerative or laser treatments. They’re supposedly non-invasive and pain free. I’m hoping for some relief. I wish you well.

@loriesco I had heat ablation yesterday on my right knee. It is bone on bone, and I cannot do a surgery because of health issues. I told my doctor "Please, I am praying and counting on you to do a great job so I will be free of this pain for a very long time!" Really keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome after the nerves are fully burned out.
Ginger

Hi Ginger! Give it a couple weeks to take effect. I don't know how it works on knees. I only know how it works on facet joints in the spine. I did learn something along the way - don't you wonder how people survived this pain before surgeries? Well I did! Seems my spine vertebrae grafted themselves together and then the pain STOPPED. Of course it crushed all the nerve endings to oblivion along the way -- no ablatia needed! So I had surgery and they had to cut them apart. Maybe your bone on bone will graft together too -- making for some immobility but the pain would stop without the movement. I know there's LOTS of stuff for inoperable knees like cortisone, gel, collagen, and new injectable implants providing artificial cushions so don't give up. Keep researching at medical research hospitals for trials and the like. I hope your ablatia takes hold! (my knees are the only joints that are good -- so much scar tissue from falls when I was a kid!) take care! Lori

I had ablations due to back spasms. My doctor recommended trying them once a month to at least settle down the nerves until they rejuvenated or started to heal. I did that for approximately a year and then was able to stop due to no longer having the spasms. Not totally pain free when I twisted my body or turning over in bed, etc. I am now doing Acupuncture and message once a month and the healing has continued. So something worked for me - possibly the time to heal as well.

I’ve tried acupuncture and chiropractic treatments as well as cortisone. So far nothing has helped. Regenerative medicine is so expensive. Going to look into laser treatments.

My husband had ablation on his back each side done separately. Then he had sacroiliac joint ablation on one side and feels like a new man. Before he could hardly stand and the pain was horrific. Hope it works for you.