Connect
← Return to Back on her feet and free from debilitating back pain thanks to spinal cord stimulator
Newsfeed PostNewsfeed Post in blog Adult Pain Medicine
Back on her feet and free from debilitating back pain thanks to spinal cord stimulator Aug 7, 2023 | By Matthew J. Pingree, M.D. (@matthewjpingreemd)Comment receiving replies
I don’t necessarily agree with a treatment plan that includes sticking needles into the spinal area and cutting nerves. The injection of steroids can lead to scare tissue forming in the area and if done repeatedly can lead to giving the patient Adhesive Arachnoiditis which binds the nerves and crushes them with scare tissue.
As for Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) it basically cuts the problematic nerves. For people with CRPS this may give temporary relief but may also make things worse. RFA is a temporary solution because nerves grow back . Therefore repeated procedures may be necessary.
Replies to "I don’t necessarily agree with a treatment plan that includes sticking needles into the spinal area..."
Connect
The radio frequency ablation does not cut nerves at all, it cauterizes them, which deadens the nerve going to the area that is causing pain. I've had a few of them and had some success but not always.