I have a herniated disc at T10-11 with it pressing on the nerve root causing severe pain around the rib cage and thoracic back. I also have severe facet arthrosis at T10-11 which is where they did the nerve ablation bilaterally. It did not help one bit! No one will look into the herniation pinching the nerve root and I'm wondering why!? Why would they do the facet ablation knowing that it wasn't the problem causing the pain?

Hi, I'm 75, and have been dealing with aggressive OA for 20+ years. The injections never did much for me, but the ablation lasted between 6-9 months. You know its a process of trying to find what will work at the time. In 2012 I became inoperative and was offered a morphine pump for my spine. It gave me my life back and handles most of the pain. I hoe the ablation gives you some relief. Good luck.

goo

I had it twice , did not get any benefit. It is a shame they perform procedures that do not work

Geez. I’m considering v having Occipital Nerve RF Ablation Rt now but they insist on doing the Lidocaine injection test first to determine if RFA will relieve the nerve pain. And “so they know the exact place’”. The problem is - every time I have a lidocaine injection it scalds the nerve and area tissues which greatly increases the pain. Should I do this injection? I would appreciate your advice.

I have had it a few times and waiting to get it again. First time was for pain down into my groins more than back pain.I could barely lift one leg to walk and to hold my weight on the other while I lifted my leg.I was leaning on the costco shopping cart sliding my feet along it was so bad. It worked great for 18mths. I have had it since and it works to some extent but a lot of my pain is higher,between the bottom rib and my pelvis. I get soooo angry that here in BC,Canada there seems to be no one that deals with that pain. Pain clinic deals with neck and low back and Neuro surgeons deal with spine but refuse to see me. I have osteoarthritis everywhere so that's their excuse.MRI's showed some sort of cysts but of course the Dr's say they DO NOT cause pain. So like you I'm banging my head against a brick wall trying to find a way out of this pain.

I've had them done that Rush hospital in Chicago. They seem to work for less than 6 months. But everybody's body is different. They did one side first and then a month or so they do the next side. I stop getting them done. At night my back to spasm so I jump up a lot. I hope I shed some light.

I’ve had Facet injections and rfa, at different times of course. I actually get more relief from the facet steroid injection. However, my doctor will be doing a facet block and then rfa, because insurance co don’t want to approve facet injections. I’m willing to try this. Hoping it works.