Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures?

I am replying to myself to say that the radiofrequency ablations on Jan. 5 have reduced pain significantly at T10-T11. What a relief! It has been three days since the procedure and there is so much less pain in my thoracic spine and radiculopathy in ribs. So far so good and I'm hoping for sustained or even better relief.

I started going to Pain Management a few months ago for the chronic pain in my upper/mid back. I have an old compression fracture between T7 and T8 from a hard slip and fall, Osteoporosis, and Osteoarthritis. The doctor has scheduled an radiofrequency ablation tor that area and sounded hopeful that it would help. Has anyone had it done in that region and was it helpful? As an FYI, my Osteoporosis is being treated with Reclast and HRT....for now.

Hello, This is Suzfue46. I had radiofrequency ablations (also known as radiofrequency lesions or radiofrequency cauterizing) where an electrical current is past from the tip of the needle to nerves where the irritation is occurring. Mine were targeted at T10-T11. It disables the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. I understand that the nerves eventually (in 6 months to 2 years) grow back and will need a further RFA. I did have a RFA on my S.I. joints which didn't help much. Every one is different so give it a try for a chance at relief if your doctor thinks it may help.

Can I please ask what are selective nerve injections? I’m looking for relief in my SI joints. Have had this for 3+ years. My ortho is now sending me to a spine specialist this week.

I have a Radio on C4-C6. My docs said that is as far down the spine they will do Radio. So we have been trying to reach between C7 and C8 on my right side where the pain is. So he goes down my spine to that point and makes an injection but does not burn the nerve end. This may last several months and the pain may not even come back. So SNI is finding one certain nerve and giving an injection not Radio. I hope maybe I have cleared up some of your questions. KLH

That’s great to hear . I have really severe spine issues (myelopathy , spinal stenosis , etc . I had the ablation done on my hip a few months ago ; it really seemed to help . However I had it done on C5-C6 years ago and I was in worse pain for several weeks as the irritated nerves had to die down .

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!

@marycdickens01 I had cervical stenosis and a disc osteophyte complex at C5/C6, and having decompression spine surgery helped me a lot. I have no pain now.

Have you consulted your doctors about potential surgery for your severe spine issues? I can tell you, cervical spine surgery (at Mayo) wasn't that bad. I expected a lot more pain, but it was tolerable, and I could handle it without pain medicine. The meds just nauseated me, so I never took any after I left the hospital. My recovery from a broken ankle and those surgeries was a lot worse that cervical spine surgery and I had to take pain meds for a few weeks. If I can answer questions about it, please ask!

I have an appt on Feb 23 for neurology and neurosurgery. I know I need surgery / I just know I do but my surgeon here says “no”. But he’s also disinterested and really doesn’t bother with me very much . I haven’t been told I will have surgery, but after reviewing my records the neurologist offered me their first available appt and I was told that they felt they could help . I do hope that since I’ve been worked up here already , that they will decide to go ahead w surgery and not make me go home and return again. I am so miserable like I am . How long were you there when you had your surgery and how /why did you end up at Mayo ?

@marycdickens01 I saw 5 local (non-Mayo) surgeons over 2 years and none would help me. My symptoms were different than they were expecting from spinal cord compression that I had from a collapsed C5/C6 disc and bone spurs. They told me that my leg pain was not coming from my neck, but that was wrong. I was in a lot of pain all over my body and had gait disturbances. Right after the 5th refusal for surgery, I found medical literature with cases like mine, so I knew what the doctors were missing. I also have thoracic outlet syndrome that causes some overlapping symptoms with arm weakness, pain and numbness so I looked for a facility that also had experts in TOS and looked at Mayo. I read the literature of Mayo neurosurgeons and found a paper that talked about leg pain caused by cervical spinal cord compression, so I knew I had found a surgeon who would understand my symptoms.

The surgeon had me see a neurologist (Dr. Bartleson) first for an exam and tests, and then I was referred to a thoracic surgeon and vascular lab to test and confirm my TOS diagnosis for an opinion about if the bigger issue was TOS or my spine problem and they consulted each other. After that, I met my neurosurgeon, Jeremy Fogelson and he offered surgery to me. I was finally going to get help and I felt relieved. They had to schedule my surgery when they were scheduling the next batch of patients, so I returned home. They offered a date in about 2 weeks, but I wasn't ready at home yet, so they scheduled a date about 5 weeks after my consult. Schedules can change due to cancellations, and now Covid testing is involved, so make sure to stay safe because that would postpone surgery. The surgical nurse does the scheduling.

Mayo will reconfirm the findings on your records. They may not repeat an MRI if yours is current. I had a current cervical one, but asked for imaging of the entire spine to rule out thoracic or lumbar issues. I had my surgery at St. Mary's Hospital which is down the road from the campus with the Mayo and Gonda buildings. That would be a consideration for where you stay in a hotel. My report time was 6 AM at the hospital and I was in surgery by 8 AM, and awake back in my room at about noon. They brought me lunch and I could have gone home by about 2 or 3, but I chose to stay overnight because I was worried about balance since the pain meds nauseated me. They get insurance clearance for a one night stay for a surgery like mine which was a one level fusion at C5/C6. I also had the fusion with no hardware, and only a donor bone spacer. I agreed to stay in a neck brace for 3 months for that and was glad I did. Some patients can feel the surgical plates on the front of the spine. I had issues with pierced earrings, so I didn't want to risk a possible immune response to implanted metals. You may want to write a list of questions to ask at your consult and take someone with you so you will remember the answers.

They suggested staying an extra day at the hotel in case of surgical complications which I did, and then added an extra day because of a dusting of snow and we were driving. You will need to walk around after the surgery on the floor, and also take breaks on the drive home to walk to avoid blood clots.

I am so glad I came to Mayo and wish I hadn't wasted 2 years elsewhere. I was very impressed with the compassionate care and they really listen and want to help. Here is my patient story.
https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/
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I was pleasantly surprised because I had never experienced doctors who really cared and took the time to understand my case. My surgeon was excellent and I had a great recovery. Do you know which doctors you will be seeing? Can you share the issues that are bringing you to Mayo for possible surgery? I'm excited for you. It's that good.