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Has anyone had nerve ablation treatment for cervical neck pain?

Posted by helenrose @helenrose, Jul 17, 2025

I have been having pain from arthritis and facet joints 4 and 5 narrowing for a while now. I am scheduled for the nerve ablation procedure and am worried about it, both that it won't work, or that it will cause me more pain then I have had before. I recently saw an acupuncturist which helped the pain for about 2 or 3 days. She is hard to get into see so I have another appt. in about 3 weeks. Also meeting with my doctor to talk more about the procedure. Also does anyone know if they use conscious sedation for this procedure? Thanks.

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domiha | @domiha | Aug 15, 2025
In reply to @helenrose "I just cancelled it. It was supposed to be next week. And they use conscious sedation..." + (show)
Profile picture for helenrose @helenrose

I just cancelled it. It was supposed to be next week. And they use conscious sedation during the procedure. The nerve block test was questionable whether I am a good candidate for the ablation. I am meeting with my doctor in September to talk about alternatives. They also offered to do the nerve block test again using a different novocaine so to speak which might result in a more accurate reading. I am going slowly. I am trying to do acupuncture now regularly and individual Pilates helps. I would love to hear your experience of the procedure. I know getting things set up here through Kaiser takes forever. And I have some short trips planned and didn't want to cancel due to painful recovery. I might still do the test again to see if I am actually a candidate. In my first and only test they were going to go ahead even though my pain relief was very short lived, maybe a half an hour rather then several hours. So there you are. I think if my results from the nerve block test had been more conclusive and clear that I was a candidate I would have gone through with it.
What was your result from the nerve block test?

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My first nerve block test actually seemed to remove most of my pain, and it has not returned after 2 weeks. The next one is scheduled for the 27th. If I do that one and the ablation is approved, I understand that those test results will be good for a two year period for my insurance coverage. So, IF I improve as much after this next diagnostic test/nerve block I may decide to hold off and see if the pain returns. I don't want to have the ablation just to have it. If I can manage without it, that would be preferable. I'm going to pursue the possibility of ablation in my lumbar spine afterwards as lower back is the source of most of my pain. Somehow, it seems they got these two turned around. But IF I do have the ablation, I'll report back on how it goes. Meanwhile, I've been trying dry needling and massage, and both seem to have also helped. Best to you! Mike

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jmaclellan | @jmaclellan | Nov 2, 2025

just had one done 3 days ago. the procedure was super easy , i had some sedation. now having pretty bad cervical angina (not cardiac) . and some headaches, but im assuming this is just the nerves dying off. hopeful in next week or so i do better. my prior numbing test were great.

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katdreyer | @katdreyer | May 28 9:31pm

I had those for a long time. Ablations worked great for several yrs but after neck fusions they didn’t help. Put in spine stimulator it helps. Pain pump since 05. Getting NALA nerve stimulator next week. Did sprint a yr ago. Help 6 mos after . Have lupus, RA. Stenosis, fibromyalgia , and cervical disc and spine disease.

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katdreyer | @katdreyer | May 28 9:33pm

Ask for sedation. I did SEVERAL times without. Don’t do it. Decided you don’t get an award to suffer needlessly!

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cosmofed | @cosmofed | May 29 9:22am

Have you considered seeing a neurosurgeon to replace the diseased disk with artificial disks? I had 2 replaced. I was in the OR at 8 am and discharged at 12 noon. Good luck.

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cdammen | @cdammen | May 30 12:15pm

I had ablations in neck and low back. The neck one eliminated the really sharp, electrical pain for about 5 months. I am occasionally feeling that pain again now. Following the low back ablation I had new pain down my hip and leg. The doctor prescribed steroids. But I could not take them at the time because of breast cancer.

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joannehart | @joannehart | May 31 11:37am

I have had 3 successful ablations for neck pain but the last one in April did not work. Has anyone had a Basil Vertebral Ablation which targets inside the disc. I don’t know if my doctor does this procedure. I have a phone appointment to ask him. My C1-2 nerves are causing pain due to arthritis.

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conchgirl | @conchgirl | Jun 1 7:27am
In reply to @asf1234 "I’m telling you it messes with your autonomic system. If it’s the neck you’ll be awake...." + (show)
Profile picture for asf1234 @asf1234

I’m telling you it messes with your autonomic system. If it’s the neck you’ll be awake. If it’s the back they’ll knock you out.

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@asf1234 they didn’t knock me out doing my back…didn’t work. They never suggested it form my neck-4 surgeries and self fusing.

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chrisco | @chrisco | Jun 1 12:26pm

I have done all of the oblations. None of them worked. I’ve had so many shots I lost count and I can’t seem to find somebody on here to help me. What do I need to do? Do I need a new specialist? Thank you you have a blessed day.

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