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Anyone Have Good Results with RF Rhizotomy??
I had low back pain for many years. One of the pain generators was a congenital Spondy at L5 S1 and I was very lucky to have that successfully corrected surgically by an outstanding surgeon in Denver, Dr. George Frey. He used a micro approach, i have an inch incision and fused quickly with no complications.
However, the years of instability and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine have caused a very common secondary problem - Facet Arthritis. These tiny joints on the back side of each vertebral segment become terribly irritated from unstable spinal column support over the years. The result is Facet Arthritis. The "angry" joints can be seen on MRI or CT scan. Once this progresses to moderate or severe it is a very serious pain generator. Well, I'm there.
Just FYI, for someone who have never felt or properly experienced this pain, mine is diffuse low lumbar and not very location specific. If I had to describe it (not knowing what it was) I'd call it severe muscle spasms. However it has taken me years and meds and injections to realize for myself this is facet pain. It has progressed to the point where I must do something. I am taking far too many meds, too immobile mornings and evenings and frankly nothing but rest and hot packs will even help a little. I will not say this is severe and I am not able to be on my feet or at my desk all day.
I've gone through the proper medical protocol of facet injections, medial branch blocks etc. in order to reach the point of discussing this procedure. Radio Frequency Rhizotomy or a better term is "burning of the nerve" that transmits this particular pain. (Thank God there is one, and we can get to it!!) Pretty simple really, they go in just like an injection, ID the nerve and then burn the hooey out of it using radio frequency heat! That little persistent nerve has a tendency to grow back within 6 months to a year and it typically has to be done again.
Hey, at this point I would let them dive in there and do anything to get me out of this pain. I've heard it is not much fun as they cannot have you under sedation for the procedure, but I am okay with that. Just stop this unrelenting pain!!
Many people have this done. I have mine schedule for the 24th of March.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has had this procedure and what results you experienced for a few months or few years. I am very hopeful this will let me get back to normal functioning (and attitude) and maybe even put a few miles on the motorcycle this summer.
I appreciate anyone's experience and or advice for heading in to have this done.
However, the years of instability and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine have caused a very common secondary problem - Facet Arthritis. These tiny joints on the back side of each vertebral segment become terribly irritated from unstable spinal column support over the years. The result is Facet Arthritis. The "angry" joints can be seen on MRI or CT scan. Once this progresses to moderate or severe it is a very serious pain generator. Well, I'm there.
Just FYI, for someone who have never felt or properly experienced this pain, mine is diffuse low lumbar and not very location specific. If I had to describe it (not knowing what it was) I'd call it severe muscle spasms. However it has taken me years and meds and injections to realize for myself this is facet pain. It has progressed to the point where I must do something. I am taking far too many meds, too immobile mornings and evenings and frankly nothing but rest and hot packs will even help a little. I will not say this is severe and I am not able to be on my feet or at my desk all day.
I've gone through the proper medical protocol of facet injections, medial branch blocks etc. in order to reach the point of discussing this procedure. Radio Frequency Rhizotomy or a better term is "burning of the nerve" that transmits this particular pain. (Thank God there is one, and we can get to it!!) Pretty simple really, they go in just like an injection, ID the nerve and then burn the hooey out of it using radio frequency heat! That little persistent nerve has a tendency to grow back within 6 months to a year and it typically has to be done again.
Hey, at this point I would let them dive in there and do anything to get me out of this pain. I've heard it is not much fun as they cannot have you under sedation for the procedure, but I am okay with that. Just stop this unrelenting pain!!
Many people have this done. I have mine schedule for the 24th of March.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has had this procedure and what results you experienced for a few months or few years. I am very hopeful this will let me get back to normal functioning (and attitude) and maybe even put a few miles on the motorcycle this summer.
I appreciate anyone's experience and or advice for heading in to have this done.
I have had 5 RF done. Four were done in Florida. The 5th last September in Georgia where we now live.. Have had serious L/4 &5 ..S/1 & 2
For 18 years. Three surgeries later, 10 epidurals, decompression, chiropractor, and acupuncture... I was desperate for something else. I was working towards my retirement , taking numerous Vicodin daily to stay at work. Finally had to retire at 26 years because of the pain.
Had I first RF. Amazing results ! Total believer.. For some reason my 5th one took 3 months before I had started feeling relief, not sure why. Now it's August, and my deep sciatica pain is coming back full force. Time to reschedule for my 6th one..... Only draw back is, the procedure is very uncomfortable . :-(
For 18 years. Three surgeries later, 10 epidurals, decompression, chiropractor, and acupuncture... I was desperate for something else. I was working towards my retirement , taking numerous Vicodin daily to stay at work. Finally had to retire at 26 years because of the pain.
Had I first RF. Amazing results ! Total believer.. For some reason my 5th one took 3 months before I had started feeling relief, not sure why. Now it's August, and my deep sciatica pain is coming back full force. Time to reschedule for my 6th one..... Only draw back is, the procedure is very uncomfortable . :-(
Hi Mari-
I had had this procedure doen four times. I am a strong believer that the skill of the -physician perfroming the procedure is critical to the overall outcome. My first RF lasted about 4 months. Then I found a doctor who is freakishly good at what he does. My second 13 months and my 3rd about 17 months, I definitely noticed worsened pain after RF#3 but I did not notice this after RF#2.
Im right now 5 weeks post the fourth RF and my usual pain is for the most part completely gone. However, I am experiencing a far more debilitating pain- a deep burning/ache and its excruciating at the end of the day and when I first wake in the morning. It began immediately after the procedre and has been occuring daily since then. I saw a huge improvement after the first week but very little improvement since then (I'd say 15-25%). I have doubled my pain meds. This is nothing like what I experienced the first 3 procedures. My doctor is not too concerned as he has not returned my 2 calls. I cannot find anywhere on the internet repportsof a similar experience more than one month post a lumbar RF. Anybody have any ideas? I am just looking for a way to get some relief!
I had had this procedure doen four times. I am a strong believer that the skill of the -physician perfroming the procedure is critical to the overall outcome. My first RF lasted about 4 months. Then I found a doctor who is freakishly good at what he does. My second 13 months and my 3rd about 17 months, I definitely noticed worsened pain after RF#3 but I did not notice this after RF#2.
Im right now 5 weeks post the fourth RF and my usual pain is for the most part completely gone. However, I am experiencing a far more debilitating pain- a deep burning/ache and its excruciating at the end of the day and when I first wake in the morning. It began immediately after the procedre and has been occuring daily since then. I saw a huge improvement after the first week but very little improvement since then (I'd say 15-25%). I have doubled my pain meds. This is nothing like what I experienced the first 3 procedures. My doctor is not too concerned as he has not returned my 2 calls. I cannot find anywhere on the internet repportsof a similar experience more than one month post a lumbar RF. Anybody have any ideas? I am just looking for a way to get some relief!
Whatever we call it -- ablation, nerve destruction, or rhyzotomy -- this procedure traumatizes an area of the back near spinal nerve junctures, and injury and swelling will increase pain for a limited period of time. Deal with this pain using cold packs for the first 48-72 hours post-procedure, and then alternate cold and heat for 1 hour up to 8 times a day.
You cannot go to another doctor yet, as you need to follow up with the doc performing the procedure. Although the risk is small (something like 1/16 of 1%), there is some risk of infection and/or internal bleeding with these procedures. (Remember signing your waiver?)
If you still have serious pain after two weeks, it should be looked at asap.
You cannot go to another doctor yet, as you need to follow up with the doc performing the procedure. Although the risk is small (something like 1/16 of 1%), there is some risk of infection and/or internal bleeding with these procedures. (Remember signing your waiver?)
If you still have serious pain after two weeks, it should be looked at asap.
I have had sever back pain for many years now. My Doctor has attempted steroid injections for about a year and they gave me temporary relief. But now he has gave me a rhizotemy 12 days ago. I am in worst pain now that I have ever been in. My Doctor keeps telling me that it could talk up to 6 weeks for the pain to go away. But RIGHT now I can not get up out of my chair. I do not feel this is right. I do not know what to do,wait it out an see if it will get better or go get another doctor.. Any advise would GREATLY be appreciated.
Thanks and GOD BLESS
Ken Wiginton
Thanks and GOD BLESS
Ken Wiginton
Hi,
I had a similar experience to yours when I had the RFA performed on 4 discs in my lower back. The procedure was really painless as I had general anesthesia and woke up after the procedure was completed. I had very little pain after the procedure, and good results as my pain was really alleviated by the procedure.
Unfortunately, the relief only lasted 5 1/2 months. It appears my nerves have grown back already and my pain is perhaps worse than it was before the procedure (or maybe it's just that I forgot how bad my lower back felt after several months of relief).
Can anyone else who has had the RFA procedure advise how long pain relief lasted for the lower back, and what kind of pain you got back after the nerves regenerated.
Thanks, Mari
I had a similar experience to yours when I had the RFA performed on 4 discs in my lower back. The procedure was really painless as I had general anesthesia and woke up after the procedure was completed. I had very little pain after the procedure, and good results as my pain was really alleviated by the procedure.
Unfortunately, the relief only lasted 5 1/2 months. It appears my nerves have grown back already and my pain is perhaps worse than it was before the procedure (or maybe it's just that I forgot how bad my lower back felt after several months of relief).
Can anyone else who has had the RFA procedure advise how long pain relief lasted for the lower back, and what kind of pain you got back after the nerves regenerated.
Thanks, Mari
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