RFA made my pain worse?

I had an RFA in November 2023 and it didn’t seem to really help; and then a week later I woke up with significant pain in my legs. Mostly after I’ve been laying down or sitting for a while and when standing up, it felt like standing on live wires. Later my legs would just ache and I couldn’t stand or walk much longer than 10 minutes without having to sit down because of the pain. I assume that’s from my PN but the Mayo doctors I’ve talked to only want to talk about my back.

@mads20 Hello and welcome to Connect. I am a spine surgery patient, but I don't have experience with ablations. It sounds like your doctor doesn't know what else to do. It may help to seek another opinion elsewhere.

Jennifer

Yes I am scheduled to come to Mayo February eighth. I am ready to get some answers.

I've know cases where they miss the medial branch nerve or just damage it. Unlikely, at two separate locations. "Nothing else that can be done" is a terrible comment. So glad you are going to, Mayo wish it were sooner.

How has your surgery helped?

@gsgnfl My pain was caused by spinal cord compression. My surgery resolved all the pain. I did rehab and got my strength back. I regained the coordination in my arms.

I see you are going to Mayo. I hope you will get some answers.

I've had a similar experience. After a lumbar RFA my belly swelled up for almost three weeks, I experienced fevers for two weeks that I iced constantly to keep in check. Now two months later, the swelling is gone but my belly is extremely sensitive to the touch. The slightest pressure hurts, even just from my bra straps being around my ribcage. I regret having this procedure and have only bad side effects, with zero benefit. Was supposed to have the other side done, but defiantly will not be doing this to myself again. Wanted to share my experience so that anyone else considering this procedure would be warned. Wish I had done more research and used better keywords in google and bing search, as my pre-procedure research keywords had obviously failed me. It's only after when typing in my symptoms that all the warning posts and videos come up.

I just had an RFA on my left side/ lower lumbar for L3 to S1. Pain got worse after several days. I used ice first then I used moist heat. My back burns and they say it is neuritis or inflammation of the nerves. I am so ticked because I shouldn’t have done this. My pain is a lot worse than the original problem. I have no idea how long this will take to get better. I’m taking a Medrol dose pack. No relief with that either. Any suggestions? This sucks.

I had RFA on L3-L4-L5 two years ago. I didn’t have any side effects or problems afterward, but this procedure was a complete waste of time and did absolutely nothing to help my chronic back pain.

@jeffybird, it can take two to three weeks after which you may have relief from the original pain as well. I hope. I think heat is not advised, but you should continue with ice.