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Ablation for lower back pain L4-5 S1

Posted by krgquinlan @krgquinlan, 6 days ago

I'm scheduled for ablation for my lower back L4-5 S1. I have severe spinal stenosis. I'm in constant pain hurts to stand and put weight on my left leg. My left side is the worst. Just wondering others experience with this procedure. The nerve block to determine the area of pain I just about flew off the table. I'm 75 yrs of age.

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Wccr1234 | @wccr1234 | 6 days ago

I had radio frequency ablation for cervical stenosis and facet joint syndrome (severe). After ablation on both the left and right side of my upper spine and at multiple levels I have had much improvement. All of the pain is not gone but things are much better. I hope you get similar results.

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jsyjackmayo | @jsyjackmayo | 4 days ago

I have similar pain and I'm scheduled for a stimulator in a few wks. Two pain docs told me an ablation would not help my condition

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bannisterkl | @bannisterkl | 3 days ago

Just make sure they give you enough anesthetic because it is a painful procedure.

It works pretty well for 6 Mos to a year. I had three

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rwdixon4 | @rwdixon4 | 3 days ago
In reply to @wccr1234 "I had radio frequency ablation for cervical stenosis and facet joint syndrome (severe). After ablation on..." + (show)
@wccr1234

I had radio frequency ablation for cervical stenosis and facet joint syndrome (severe). After ablation on both the left and right side of my upper spine and at multiple levels I have had much improvement. All of the pain is not gone but things are much better. I hope you get similar results.

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Do they do the RFAs on the nerves in the facet joints ?

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gsgnfl | @gsgnfl | 2 days ago

I about flew off the table as well with the nerve block. And the bigger problem was it after taking the block I kept falling down. Even in the dressing room. So I really couldn’t test very well if it eliminated the pain.

I also had the ablation and it really didn’t bother me at all (take a Xanax first), but the ablation did zero for me.

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rwdixon4 | @rwdixon4 | 2 days ago
In reply to @jsyjackmayo "I have similar pain and I'm scheduled for a stimulator in a few wks. Two pain..." + (show)
@jsyjackmayo

I have similar pain and I'm scheduled for a stimulator in a few wks. Two pain docs told me an ablation would not help my condition

Jump to this post

jsyjackmayo,
I have had many RFAs they only help me for a week or so but I figure that's better than nothing and the required test before the RFA would give me relief for a day! I have also had the spine stimulator implanted I would rate it as less helpful than a tens, at least with a tens I would feel relief at the site while it was on and as long as it didn't get caught on something and come unpluged. With the tens I was always having problems with it getting caught on something or just bumping on stuff. With the stimulator you have to wear the belt with the (I call it a mini MRI attachment) to charge it for HRs on end once it is charged I can only feel the stimulation going down my leg ? It is a Medtronic spine stimulator with 3 stations.....I also have a pain pump implant that is a Medtronic. If when I get the spine fusion the surgeon made a comment (Let's get that pain pump out of you ?) Well see about that ?

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