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Anyone had an ablation for lower back pain

Posted by natrele @natrele, Apr 12, 2025

I’ve had low back pain for 2 years. Pain injections did no good. Any good results with ablation

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @besmith57 "We do sound similar. None of the drugs you mentioned helped. No pain reliever works for..." + (show)
Profile picture for besmith57 @besmith57

We do sound similar. None of the drugs you mentioned helped. No pain reliever works for me. PT made it worse. I can't stand or walk for more than a few minutes at a time. One neurosurgeon said it was nerves causing the pain. The second neuro said it was muscular. I have had numerous steroid injections that didn't help either. Had a spine stimulator for 5 weeks that didn't help.
I have DDD throughout my spine. My next procedure will be a gel injection to hydrate the vertebrae. If that doesn't help, I don't know what I'm going to do. I do know I can't live like this. 24/7 pain is awful. Good luck on your journey!

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Did they do any sort of MRI or other imaging on your soft tissues in your lower back? If it's muscular they might be able to tell. My initial pain feels like burning or inflammation, like tendons or ligaments are being torn. Could be too that some muscles may be pressing on nerves.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Jun 24, 2025

Is one allowed to drive on their own after an ablation procedure?

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besmith57 | @besmith57 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @bajjerfan "Did they do any sort of MRI or other imaging on your soft tissues in your..." + (show)
Profile picture for bajjerfan @bajjerfan

Did they do any sort of MRI or other imaging on your soft tissues in your lower back? If it's muscular they might be able to tell. My initial pain feels like burning or inflammation, like tendons or ligaments are being torn. Could be too that some muscles may be pressing on nerves.

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I had an MRI a few months ago. I asked if I needed another one, and he said no. My pain is a constant ache 24/7. It worsens significantly with standing or walking. I don't know the answer to make it all go away!

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penn | @penn | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @natrele "Were the 2 prior injections like an ablation? What were they and after the ablation that..." + (show)
Profile picture for natrele @natrele

Were the 2 prior injections like an ablation? What were they and after the ablation that worked, how long before relief? I had an ablation and have gotten no relief.

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What is a ablation? I have a Failed Laminectomy 2008 ! Just had an MRI, spine, Surgeon changed my life for ever. I was told I could still sue him, Name, Dr. Carl Geordiano, Morristown Memorial

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @besmith57 "I had an ablation of 6 nerves. It did not do anything for my pain." + (show)
Profile picture for besmith57 @besmith57

I had an ablation of 6 nerves. It did not do anything for my pain.

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Then would it be fair to say that your pain isn't nerve related? Reading about RF ablation makes me think that it may not due much to help my issues if it isn't spine related.
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/radiofrequency-ablation-pain-relief
Radiofrequency ablation is a pain-management procedure primarily intended to treat arthritis or joint pain of the spine.

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besmith57 | @besmith57 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @bajjerfan "Then would it be fair to say that your pain isn't nerve related? Reading about RF..." + (show)
Profile picture for bajjerfan @bajjerfan

Then would it be fair to say that your pain isn't nerve related? Reading about RF ablation makes me think that it may not due much to help my issues if it isn't spine related.
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/radiofrequency-ablation-pain-relief
Radiofrequency ablation is a pain-management procedure primarily intended to treat arthritis or joint pain of the spine.

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The trial injections worked. I'm scheduled for the gel injections next month. I really don't know if it's nerve pain or muscles. I've had 2 different opinions. Hopefully, the gel injections work. Good luck finding something to help you.

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mshaaren | @mshaaren | Jun 25, 2025

Hi, I've had a few, on a couple of areas of my spine. First one lasted 9 months and each procedure, nerve block or ablation after that , worked less and less I spoke with the spine specialist about these procedures, he stated that it is the nature of the procedures to eventually stop working. You may get good results! Everyone is different. I would take the relief myself while it lasts

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mtnmarge | @mtnmarge | Jun 26, 2025
In reply to @mshaaren "Hi, I've had a few, on a couple of areas of my spine. First one lasted..." + (show)
Profile picture for mshaaren @mshaaren

Hi, I've had a few, on a couple of areas of my spine. First one lasted 9 months and each procedure, nerve block or ablation after that , worked less and less I spoke with the spine specialist about these procedures, he stated that it is the nature of the procedures to eventually stop working. You may get good results! Everyone is different. I would take the relief myself while it lasts

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I had three ablations for mid-back pain...last one did not work and Dr. 'Medicare' says I have to wait 6 weeks before I can try again. 6 Weeks! A long time to wait for pain relief

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judysellsnaples | @judysellsnaples | Jun 27, 2025

I had it done & it helped a ton & was very simple procedure. Lasted about 9 months. Time for another

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Jun 29, 2025

It MAY relieve pain, but would it do anything to relieve the muscle tightness that develops as I walk or are otherwise active on my feet?

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