Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures?

Posted by Sam65 @sam65, Sep 29, 2017

Hello. First, I should mention that this is my first post to the group.
I have had neuropathic pain issues in my feet for many years made worse by surgeries that have resulted in scar tissue that has formed around the nerves. Over the years I have become diabetic (Type 2), although, it has always been considered well controlled. However, I recently had a skin biopsy performed which indicated that I did not have the clinical definition of neuropathy since the nerve cell counts were well within normal ranges. The biopsy did show "small anoxal swellings in the epidermis and sub epidermis." My doctor said this condition is often a forerunner of nerve cell loss and is correlated to patients experiencing burning pain. Ultrasound scans have also found scar tissue in the areas that I experience the burning nerve pain.
I am hoping to hear from anyone who has tried one of the Radio Frequency wave ablation procedures to reduce neuropathic foot pain or knows of any literature on the subject.
Thanks

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martyk | @martyk | Mar 6, 2021

<p>Has anyone used RFA for chronic pain for post surgical pain in toes? If so, would you recommend it? Thanks</p>

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 6, 2021

In reply to @martyk "Has anyone used RFA for chronic pain for post surgical pain in toes? If so, would..." + (show)

@martyk, it looks like @sam65 was asking similar questions a while back on Mayo Clinic Connect. You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Radiofrequency ablation for Upper/Mid Back Pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiofrequency-ablation-for-uppermid-back-pain/
- Radiofrequency Ablation for SI joint pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiofrequency-ablation-for-si-joint-pain/

And this expert blog:
- What is Radiofrequency Ablation: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/adult-pain-medicine/tab/radiofrequency/

tesiakylie | @tesiakylie | Sep 10, 2021

In reply to @dkapustin "I started going to Pain Management a few months ago for the chronic pain in my..." + (show)

I had it done for T4 T5 T6 T7 about 6 months ago. I have a bulging disc. It was a very painful procedure as the surgeon I use doesn't knock you out and afterwards I was in the most horrific pain I have ever been in, in my back. needless to say, it did not work at all. I just had it done again yesterday and he gave me xanex to take 1 hour before and some Norco to take after and the pain for the procedure was still a little painful but I was not in tears for hours after the procedure and I was able to sleep last night. I don't know if this will work this time or not but hoping so. 4 months prior to all of this, I had a nerve block which did nothing other than reduce my pocket book.
Wondering if anyone else has the same issues and found relief?
I do have arthritis in my low back and some hip issues. tear in my left hip as well as calcium deposits on both hips and arthritis on my hips. I was in a major car accident 2.5 years ago that caused the tear as well as my bulging disc. My pain was manageable prior to accident and now my mid/upper back just burns all the time and my hips cause my legs to give out and I fall. I have now had cortisone shots in both hip/legs and I can finally walk again. But I cannot seem to manage my mid/upper back pain no matter what. I take gabapentin which seems to help tremendously and I sleep great, but I can't take it during the day even on lower doses because it knocks me out and I have kids and young grandchildren that I watch and drive around. I'm beginning to feel like there is no hope. I used to love to hike and golf and play with the kids and now I feel like my life is so altered. I'm desperate to try anything that may have helped anyone. thank you!

marilynnovak | @marilynnovak | Sep 11, 2021

In reply to @grandmar "Hi All! I have/had stenosis, bulging disks, osteoarthritis, just to name a few issues. I had..." + (show)

Hi, Grandma.
RFA (radio frequency ablation) worked for me, but only for 8 months of "no pain."
You need to be more picky about your health providers.
RFA cost my insurance around $40,000. Thank goodness I have good insurance! BUT, I would not subject myself or my insurance company to the pinching shots again, because I feel that $40,000 for 8 months of pain relief is not a sensible way to spend money,
I had my RFA done at the Rehab. Hospital of Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am now working on the problem with lumbar and neck MRIs, Ask for the discs, and take them to spine surgeons so they can put them on the computer screen and describe what they show to you.
If you do not like the regular "tube" MRI experience, there is a company called Upright MRI at which you sit upright while they take the MRI. It's noisy, but gives clear info so the doctor can see what is going on.

grandmaR | @grandmar | Sep 11, 2021

In reply to @marilynnovak "Hi, Grandma. RFA (radio frequency ablation) worked for me, but only for 8 months of "no..." + (show)

@marilynnovak
Hello!
Wow! Good thing you have good medical insurance, so do I.
I am VERY picky about who cares for me and I do lots of research before seeing a provider.
Sometimes the research was spot on, and other times not as much.
I have a FANTASTIC neurosurgeon who did 2 surgeries on me after I tried shots, including ablation a couple of times.
The surgeries were a success.
When I had surgery on my cervical spine then my lumbar spine, the doctor did the surgery in the areas that were the worse and was impacting me the most.
I've had xrays, MRIs and a mylogram as well as nerve tests to pinpoint where the issues were and are.
Now, I am having new (I think) issues and just completed 3 MRIs which covered my entire spine.
I see my surgeon in a couple of weeks to go over the results and to discuss what is next.
The neurologist I saw sent me for PT at the clinic's department and I left worse off than before I started.
MRIs do not bother me at all, I've had soooooo many.
I'll stick with my surgeon, for now to see what he suggests.
He is not the kind to suggest unnecessary cutting (which he has provided to me over and over again).
Thank you for reaching out,
Ronnie

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Sep 11, 2021

In reply to @tesiakylie "I had it done for T4 T5 T6 T7 about 6 months ago. I have a..." + (show)

Hello and welcome, @tesiakylie. You have been through quite a lot with the multiple procedures and it sounds like you have a family that keeps you busy, so it is easy to see why you would like to find something to improve your pain during the day.

Have you shared this with your doctor and has he/she offered you an alternative option?

mjq | @mjq | Nov 2, 2021

In reply to @dkapustin "I started going to Pain Management a few months ago for the chronic pain in my..." + (show)

Recently had radiofrequency ablation of L4 and L5. Pain remains severe. Now what? Was wrong nerve area done? Anyone have this same situation? Try again?

Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Nov 2, 2021

In reply to @mjq "Recently had radiofrequency ablation of L4 and L5. Pain remains severe. Now what? Was wrong nerve..." + (show)

Hi @mjq, I moved your post to a discussion that is already talking about radiofrequency ablation. I wanted you to be able to connect with members who have gone through similar situations like @tesiakylie, @grandmar, and @marilynnovak.

Have you discussed it not working with your doctor? How long ago was it done?

grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 2, 2021

In reply to @mjq "Recently had radiofrequency ablation of L4 and L5. Pain remains severe. Now what? Was wrong nerve..." + (show)

@mjq
Hello
Sorry to hear the radiofrequency ablation did not work. I have it done twice (once by 2 different doctors) and it did not work for me.
To be honest, that was my last straw.
When that didn't work, I decided to go with surgery.
BTW...my ablation was C5/6.
Good Luck!
Ronnie (GrandmaR)