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Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures?
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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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 .
HI Mary, I sure hope that I will continue to have improvements in pain level since they said that could occur. The relief I'm having at about 4 days post RFA isn't as much as the first 3 days. I need to be more patient.
Are selective nerve injections different from RFA? I thought they were but maybe not. Thanks for your info.
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
Yes, you have. Thank you so very much. I just want to have some info when I go Thursday to Spine doctor not knowing what he may suggest. I have osteoporosis and really don’t want a steroid injection because I’ve heard that can cause more bone loss. But hoping there is something without steroids in the injection.
Thank you for replying and I hope you get relief as well.
@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!
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1 ReactionI know this sounds crazy and I was very skeptical - but I bought CBD cream at Whole Food and I am pretty amazed at what it does for that kind of pain .
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3 ReactionsI 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/
Mayo Clinic in Rochester has Concierge Services to help make your trip go smoothly. They provide information about travel, lodging, Mayo Clinic and community resources to plan your visit. I like to stay in a hotel with full kitchens in the rooms. Concierge services are free for Mayo patients and they have rate comparisons for various Hotels. Ask for the Mayo Clinic patent rate.
Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services
Phone: 507-538-8438
Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services
In-person in Rochester MN: Lobby hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Offices are located in the International Center in the Mayo Mathew’s Lobby, Executive Lounge on Mayo 5, Radiation Oncology Lobby – Desk R
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.
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2 ReactionsI love hearing the time and attention you received . It is a requirement when you have complicated problems . I can tell when a dr doesn’t “get it “ when I am talking about my history and current issues .
I had a C3-C5 ACDF & one month later I had C2-T2 PCDF in 2019. I was in the hospital for two weeks while I waited to get into an adjoined inpatient rehab facility . I actually did well but I was in a such a weakened state from having to wait for surgery so long (I had a rare infection and was on IV & oral antibx for about 9 months prior to being able to have surgery) . I recovered and wore the brace for 3 months . My gait got better but I still had problems with walking any distance . I assumed this was from the compression on my spinal cord previously .
I started feeling movement of something in my neck that felt very wrong when I would bend forward about 4 months ago ; then I started having pain and difficulty walking . I have been worked up for this and I am having to work with a different surgeon who is just disinterested and says I don’t need surgery. There is also some loose hardware that was found on a CT but he refused to address that either . I got the distinct feeling he just didn’t want to deal with my situation . I was essentially blown off by him .
I went from doing pretty good and I had a certain amount of independence I had not had before , but now I sit back in a recliner all day unless I have a dr appt . I don’t want this to be my life and I want to know I have done everything to find an answer.
Thanks for your concern - it has been helpful and reassuring . I do wish I could have everything done on this visit in February . I live in Mississippi and I have to fly each time and someone has to come with me . Thanks so much !