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RFA for Spinal Arthritis
So here's today's Saga. I was supposed to get epidural #3 today. Well, turns out I didn't get the shot. Why? My MRI showed stenosis with some nerve impingements at L3-L4 and L4-L5. The pain dr went over my reactions to the previous shots, which really provided relief only 1 time, and only for a day or two, along with my current symptoms. My pain is least when walking, and worst when twisting or sitting. It never radiates below the knee, and now rarely even to the front of the thigh. It is also inconsistent in the level of pain (from 2 - 8) and seems to be helped somewhat by acupuncture. He then said "your pain is likely not from the stenosis, but more likely from arthritis." (Years ago I was told I had arthritis in spine, but never treated it - only this year did the pain become unbearable, thus the MRI) He then proposed doing injections in 3 facet joints, telling me to go home and twist & do motions that would normally cause pain. If the pain was less, that's likely the issue. He said he'd do the same injection again in 2 weeks to confirm. THEN he'd do Radio Frequency Ablation, which he said would provide relief for probably 6-9 months, but possibly longer. He was ready to do the facet injections then & there, but not having a clear understanding of RFA I was reluctant, and he told me to think more about it & he can fit me in next week. He explained that RFA kills the nerve that transmits pain to the brain. I had thought it killed the nerve that runs out from the spinal cord into the leg. Now I need to learn more about RFA. Any experience with treatment like this?
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I ended up not being a good candidate for RF Ablation.
Definitely, study it very carefully ! To know the benefit/downside ratio that seems to fit you..take the time you need to check it out thoroughly. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I have been told I have facet arthropathy and my pain is all in my legs it's twitching and throbbing in my calf muscles sometimes my hamstrings and also in my pelvis. All the doctors say that the ablation won't help me either they say it's mostly for back pain. I don't trust what they say anymore. Do you have any idea or information about if it would help pain in the legs besides sciatica pain? Where are you ?
@annie1 My pain is NOT in my legs - that's one of the reasons this Dr thinks it is from the facet arthritis. In Sarasota, Florida.
I'm trying to read as much as I can on this - the pluses & minuses. And asking questions of a friend who is an Orthopedist, recently retired. Looking for others' experiences.
Have you consulted with a spinal surgeon?? Sometimes that is the better solution. After 5 years of back and hip pain that is my next step.
I have arthritis in my spine which my spine has bulges from L3 to L5. Also arthritis and bursitis in my hips. For the last 4 years I got shots in my back and hips and the pain was minimal and it lasted about 15 months.
This year my pain levels grew really bad in less than a year. My pain Doctor did another MRI of my back which showed it is very crooked now with bulges. I got 2 sets of shots in the back and 1 in the hips. They did not work that well. My doctor said I should consult with a spine surgeon. Due to having cancer this year the spine surgeon will not do anything at this point in time. I do have a appointment with my pain doctor. He will try a 3rd shot in a different location to try to ease the pain a bit.
My pain med doctor said I really am not a candidate for RFA. The spine and discs need to be fixed first.
The spine surgeon sent me to the pain guy (The surgeon seemed to take it personally when I said I'd prefer to avoid surgery). But more recently instead of an orthopedic surgeon I saw a neurosurgeon. He said he wouldn't operate, that the work was so extensive & recovery so long & would not be recommended at my age (78). And now because of holidays & vacations, I can't even get the RFA IF I do that until January.