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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Long story . . . . I'll make it short . . . Have been dealing with neck/spinel pain and arm pain for 3 months . . . I have been taking medicine as prescribed to deal with the pain from my shoulder/neck to my fingers that are numb. MRI, specific x-ray of the neck, CT . . . I had a spinal epidural over two weeks ago and I received little relief . . pain still at times level 10. Doctors have increased the medication. The discussion now is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) . Has anyone had this and was the results good or just OK. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back.
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Plenty here about it. First they deaden nerves to see if the offers relief. If not then don't waste more time with it.
BTW has anyone ever had epidurals in their cervical spine area?
Having this done next week, lower spine. Hope for relief. Will update with results.
Had two ablations on l4 l5. For me personally it gave local pain relief in spine but not the pain radiating down leg as that nerve couldn't be touched.
It did allow me 2 full years of on off activity before having to do fusion. Its worth a try if combined with PT.
Best if hope and healing to you.
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1 Reaction@dsonderhouse
The pain radiating down your leg could invole the sciatic nerve or the peroneal nerve.
@bajjerfan
Thank you, yes likely. Fusion helped and now working with PT for the continued nerve issues. Not sure yet which it is fully as have a complicated back, limb history.
@bajjerfan - if you've not already, you might check out this Mayo Clinic Connect discussion on epidurals:
- Epidural spine injections https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/epidural-spine-injections/
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1 Reaction@bajjerfan I have had so many I can even count even leading up to the nerve ablations. Not one have helped me and I have an excellent pain doctor for the back. Now after fracturing my T7 last July, Intercostal Neuraliga came along with it. Worst pain in my life and had to sleep with 2 very soft pillows behind my back and sleep on the recliner since I couldn't even get out of bed without excruciating pain. Did that for 3 weeks and finally found out about the Neuraliga. Thankfully 150 mg of Lyrica was prescribed 3 x a day along with 30 mg of Cymbalta and could function. Just now after one year I am getting off the Cymbalta but still can't the Lyrica. Had tried yet another epidural with no relief but will not do anymore.
I have had 3 radio frequency ablations. All
3 were in my neck. They seemed to work for 3 months and then pain gradually comes back. I have exhausted all types of therapy and now they want to fuse 2
Levels of my neck.
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1 ReactionThank you the information. How long did it take from just the pain and the 3 RRA? Hopefully all goes smoothly with your surgery.