Ablation for lower back pain L4-5 S1

Posted by krgquinlan @krgquinlan, Jun 26 9:37pm

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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loriesco | @loriesco | 3 days ago

In reply to @rwdixon4 "Do they do the RFAs on the nerves in the facet joints ?" + (show)

yes. I had it several times. Worked phenomenally well for me!

loriesco | @loriesco | 3 days ago

If your diagnostic test relieved your pain then go for it! Why aren't they giving you local anesthesia for the pain?! that's crazy. There is too kinds of ablation: heat and pulse. The pulse does not work on me. the heat does great!!! My first one lasted 15 years. It takes a couple of tries sometimes. But it was SO great. My last one's 15 years later meant it was time for surgery. I am SO thankful they were there for me. I have severe stenosis.

krgquinlan | @krgquinlan | 3 days ago

In reply to @loriesco "If your diagnostic test relieved your pain then go for it! Why aren't they giving you..." + (show)

I had the nerve block in the office all they gave me was lidocaine first two nerve blocks were awful. But it's over. Thank you for your input I appreciate it.

loriesco | @loriesco | 3 days ago

In reply to @krgquinlan "I had the nerve block in the office all they gave me was lidocaine first two..." + (show)

a nerve block is an epidural which is not an RFA (radio frequency Ablatia). The epidural is an injection to give pain relief from inflammation or it is diagnostic to determine if that is the area your pain comes from. If you are relieved of your pain then they will schedule the RFA.
I had an epidural when I was delivering my son, I agree it was horrid!!! but I've had them again later for a variety of pain relief in my spine. Not bad at all! I think you should talk to them.
One time I had an RFA and it was super painful so they use twilight sleep but I have to find a driver. Maybe the nerves are "knocked out" now so I have no difficulty at the injection site. Good luck!

greta63 | @greta63 | 3 days ago

In reply to @tdstaley "I had ablation performed in 2022…L4/5 area. This was the last treatment prior to fusion in..." + (show)

Could you explain the stem cells and if they helped? Thanks.

krgquinlan | @krgquinlan | 2 days ago

In reply to @loriesco "a nerve block is an epidural which is not an RFA (radio frequency Ablatia). The epidural..." + (show)

When I had a nerve block it was not an epidural. The doctor put 6 needles in my back to determine area of pain. The first two were painful he said they were the most tender. The other 4 were fine. I did have an epidural prior to this to see if it would relieve my pain and it did not. Then that was the need for the nerve block. I am 3 days out from my RFA and I'm feeling the site they went into my back. So far so good. I go for my right side in 2 weeks. Hopefully I will be done.

loriesco | @loriesco | 2 days ago

In reply to @krgquinlan "When I had a nerve block it was not an epidural. The doctor put 6 needles..." + (show)

It is a little confusing to me. I've had epidurals. I've had targeted injections to figure out which nerves need to be "ablated." RFA's eliminate my referred pain and in my case were never used to get rid of my back pain.
When I was young I'd get off the table and go back to work. (40) now I am 67 and I can very achy in my lumbar for up to a week. Sometimes there is no recovery needed. By now, I've had so many injections over the years the nerves are probably too frightened to grow back, ha!
RFAs are for facet joint spinal stenosis. But I had degenerative disc disease and disc compression and a whole lot of back lumbar back needing surgery in 2018. I had a fantastic orthopedic surgeon at UCSD. He gave me my life back in spades! The rest of my back is degenderating around the small fusion he did. Only a matter of time until I have to return. However - I get decades of relief from referred front leg/thigh pain from the RFA - only the heat works on me - not the pulse. I'm repeating that. Sometimes they have to do it again in a few months but it lasts decades. (the nerves can regenerate). I'd rather do that then icky cortisone injections.