1. < Spine Health

Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures?

Posted by Sam65 @sam65, Sep 29, 2017

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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dishpain | @dishpain | Dec 24, 2022
In reply to @meesh "Radio Frequency Ablation: Anyone care to share their experience. I had my SI joint block test..." + (show)
@meesh

Radio Frequency Ablation: Anyone care to share their experience. I had my SI joint block test indicating I would be a good candidate. Thank you

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I just recently had RFA in November on my upper right and upper left, T5 through T7. They said I probably should’ve had T8, but the insurance only covers three levels. The right one seem to be fine and it may be a coincidence but the last one actually is near a bone spur formation that comes off the spine and I feel like it’s aggravated. If I turn, it really hurts. Very painful. Like I said, it may be a coincidence. They told me the hope was that it would last six months because insurance won’t let it be repeated until then. They said that nerves can regenerate. I’m hoping that this issue goes away soon, but I’m not so sure that maybe it is just a bone spur formation that could be digging into my surrounding tissues.

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 24, 2022
In reply to @meesh "Radio Frequency Ablation: Anyone care to share their experience. I had my SI joint block test..." + (show)
@meesh

Radio Frequency Ablation: Anyone care to share their experience. I had my SI joint block test indicating I would be a good candidate. Thank you

Jump to this post

Welcome @meesh, in addition to the helpful responses that you got from @cookierockwell and @dishpain, I moved your post to this existing discussion to connect with other members and the experiences they've shared:
- Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/experience-with-radio-frequency-ablation-procedures/

You might also appreciate this discussion:
- Sacroiliac joint pain -injections, RF abalation, PT or what 1st: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sacroiliac-joint-pain-injections-rf-abalation-pt-or-what-1st/

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meesh | @meesh | Dec 25, 2022
In reply to @cookierockwell "I had RF ablation at T10 and T11. It alleviated some of my pain. Really needed..." + (show)
@cookierockwell

I had RF ablation at T10 and T11. It alleviated some of my pain. Really needed T12 also. The doctor who did it told me it would last the rest of my life. It lasted 4 months. I'm getting another one soon. Will get t10, 11, and 12.

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Best wishes to you.

Pain is very hard to live with. Had terrible fall as child(12), resulting in scoliosis, pain from late teens til today, but last injury created unbelievable complications.

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meesh | @meesh | Dec 25, 2022
In reply to @dishpain "I just recently had RFA in November on my upper right and upper left, T5 through..." + (show)
@dishpain

I just recently had RFA in November on my upper right and upper left, T5 through T7. They said I probably should’ve had T8, but the insurance only covers three levels. The right one seem to be fine and it may be a coincidence but the last one actually is near a bone spur formation that comes off the spine and I feel like it’s aggravated. If I turn, it really hurts. Very painful. Like I said, it may be a coincidence. They told me the hope was that it would last six months because insurance won’t let it be repeated until then. They said that nerves can regenerate. I’m hoping that this issue goes away soon, but I’m not so sure that maybe it is just a bone spur formation that could be digging into my surrounding tissues.

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So sorry to hear

Wishes to you for the best!!!!!

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1 reply
dishpain | @dishpain | Dec 25, 2022
In reply to @meesh "So sorry to hear Wishes to you for the best!!!!!" + (show)
@meesh

So sorry to hear

Wishes to you for the best!!!!!

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Thank you! Hope your issues get resolved too! 👍🏻

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erossano | @erossano | Dec 26, 2022
In reply to @dishpain "I just recently had RFA in November on my upper right and upper left, T5 through..." + (show)
@dishpain

I just recently had RFA in November on my upper right and upper left, T5 through T7. They said I probably should’ve had T8, but the insurance only covers three levels. The right one seem to be fine and it may be a coincidence but the last one actually is near a bone spur formation that comes off the spine and I feel like it’s aggravated. If I turn, it really hurts. Very painful. Like I said, it may be a coincidence. They told me the hope was that it would last six months because insurance won’t let it be repeated until then. They said that nerves can regenerate. I’m hoping that this issue goes away soon, but I’m not so sure that maybe it is just a bone spur formation that could be digging into my surrounding tissues.

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My experience has been that my doctor said nerves can regenerate, and I am in pain again and considering having it redone.

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1 reply
dishpain | @dishpain | Dec 26, 2022
In reply to @erossano "My experience has been that my doctor said nerves can regenerate, and I am in pain..." + (show)
@erossano

My experience has been that my doctor said nerves can regenerate, and I am in pain again and considering having it redone.

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So you got the same information that I did , that nerves can regenerate. I’m due to have set of RFA on lower back in February. I hope that your redo will go well. Stay strong.

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1 reply
cjgil75 | @cjgil75 | Dec 27, 2022
In reply to @dishpain "So you got the same information that I did , that nerves can regenerate. I’m due..." + (show)
@dishpain

So you got the same information that I did , that nerves can regenerate. I’m due to have set of RFA on lower back in February. I hope that your redo will go well. Stay strong.

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Thanks, I’m still debating on doing the nervo stimulator implant on Thursday. Doing some consultation today.
Hope yours goes well to. Thanks

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TERESA LOGAN | @quiteachiver75 | Dec 29, 2022
In reply to @lioness "@dkapustin Yes I do have a Tens unit they are great I bought a back brush..." + (show)
@lioness

@dkapustin Yes I do have a Tens unit they are great I bought a back brush ,a soft pad on it and rub muscle cream on back One thing my chiropractor does after he uses the tens is put heat or ice on feels good. Ice is an anti-inflammatory and heat heals by bringing the blood to the area

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I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF TRYING TENS UNIT ITS GOOD YOU MENTIONED IT I WAS UNSURE IF IT WOULD WORK. I WILL GIVE IT SERIOUS THOUGHT NOW THANKS

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