Had a successful lumbar ablation to relieve pain?

I had my first lumbar medial branch nerve block...I think that is what it was refered as. I was told I should feel around 80% relief in a few hours. I really did! However, this morning the pain is back as before. Sometimes close to 10 on the pain scale. I understand if relief doesn't happen after the first nerve block, that's it. No moving forward towards the ablation. If that is true. What do I do now? I can't live like this with all the other health issues I have.

I am sorry to appear ignorant, but what is the difference between a nerve block and an ablation? Thank you.

@heisenberg34

A nerve block deadens the nerve temporarily. Ablation kills the nerve roots so that they can't transmit pain signals. After ablation the nerve endings can grow back so it's not a permanent fix.

@bajjerfan Thanks. Good to know.

@ch665296f From what I just read online, the block is performed to see if temporary relief is achieved. Then the more permanent ablation may be done, You had some relief from the block, even if short-lived. Seems as if the ablation could be done.

@heisenberg34
Hi, I have gone through the whole process of two nerve blocks in my neck. Now I have been told that I am ready to get the ablation.
I would assume that it would be the same process for the back.
Note - my pain specialist told me the pre-nerve blocks are to see if the ablation would even work. Also to see where the exact nerve placement would be.

@heisenberg34

I was told that I'd need 80% or better pain reduction. Would be hard to say how much that really is tho. Would have to be pretty mild.

@ch665296f I suggest you speak with your Doc. My understanding is that it takes at least 6 weeks to get the full results. It takes awhile for the nerve to fully abate. That medical branch nerve does not die. My first ablation lasted 8 months and I recently had a second. Talk with your doc. You may have also felt relief because of the lidocaine to help with the pain of the proceedure.

@bajjerfan

The fact that I got so little relief should be a big signal that a lot of my pain isn't nerve related.

Beware there are two types of ablations for treatment of spine-based pain. There is radio frequency ablation and then there is Basivertebral Nerve Ablation. In broad terms radiofrequency ablation targets offending nerves outside the disc and the latter targets nerves inside the disc. Basilvertrebral nerve ablation is also known as the "Intracept Procedure". Try reading this https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572127/ and then chat with your pain management specialist.