Facet ablation

Posted by andilynn @andilynn, Dec 12, 2016

I'm wondering if anyone has had ablation in the lumbar region. I have a bone on bone situation at L5. It seems that everything that's attempted such as injections or physical therapy just makes me have more pain. My neurologist said I'm not a surgical case and this ablation may help. He gave me Voltarin to apply three times/day to try. It doesn't seem to do anything. I have pain all around the sacrum especially in the early hours of the morning. Lately I've had more symptoms in the daytime too. This is only since I had a couple injections in the lower back. Anyone else out there with this issue?

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guga | @guga | Sep 27, 2019

Im sorry to hear about your injury and pray that you recover quickly

yrm | @yrm | Dec 31, 2023

In reply to @kayelle "Yes please, I am in a similar boat, not sure ablation is for me, I know..." + (show)

I too have osteoporosis. I also have L4, L5 herniated discs with severe pain in legs and muscle weakness in left leg. I recently received a steroid epidural which did nothing. This week I had steroids injected in my facet regions to see if nerve ablation would work. It has been 2 days and I have had relief so I am going ahead with the ablation after the first of the year. It has taken me years to convince doctors that my pain is real despite numerous X-rays and MRIs. I have finally found interventional anesthesia doctors who have given me hope. Fingers crossed that the New Year will bring relief. I’ll post results after the procedure.