RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) Who had this, "burn or kill" the nerves?

Hi, I am interested in anyone who has had this procedure done and the effect of it? It may be called RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) where they "burn or kill" the nerves. The area I am researching would be those that have had in for lower back issues.

If anyone can provide feedback, I would appreciate it.

Thank, Oz

[achilles2]

I did not have a RFA for my back, but I did have one for my ankle. I first want to say that before anyone has one to make sure that your insurance will cover it-- mine called it experimental even though it had been approved for at least five years. I found out after the fact. Thankfully the hospital where I had it done was a teaching hospital with patient assistance and they forgave the bill.

For me I hated it I had deep pain in my ankle for about four days and then it did not work. But I know now why it did not work. I had pinched nerve (among other problems in my foot) due to a chronically sprained ankle that all my doctors and physical therapists missed. (The nerve is still healing since it was pinched for almost three years.)

I know my RFA story it not what you were looking for, I actually posted to encourage everyone makes sure their insurance covers it.

achilles2

[atonicat]

I had RFA 6 and 7 months ago (left side 7, right side 6) at L2-L5/S1. It took away 99% of my pain and I'm going pretty strong still. Previously I had been on Norco and Celebrex (or some form of NSAID's) for almost 3 solid years. When I was first sent to my PM doctor, I had epidural injections that lasted about a month. After my RFA, I no longer need to take Norco and only take Celebrex when I have a bad arthritis flare.

I'm still not able to be as physically active as I was, which is hard at 28, but my everyday life is a lot better. I may also be "babying" my back for fear of re-injuring myself. I have a feeling that the RFA might not last me much longer. When my epidural was wearing off, I had the same feeling. But as long as my insurance will pay for it, I will keep getting RFA as much as needed.

[Sjoggie]

Hi,

I have not had RFA but it had been mentioned once to me.  It was my understanding that it would not really kill the nerve and the nerve would regenerate.

That spooked me as when I asked about how you would feel with the nerve coming back and what to expect, the doctor didn't seem to know what it would do!

My daughter pushed on a nerve when I carried her and it was pure murder and of course I couldn't take anything.  It took along time for that nerve to settle and it never fully recovered and I'm having issues with it now.  

I am glad you started this thread and I hope you share whatever you learn.

Thanks  

[atonicat]

RFA doesn't kill the nerve. They burn the nerve to deaden the pain singles that the nerve is triggering. The nerve does regenerate over time. The length of time varies from person to person but is usually 6 - 24 months. So technically the nerves that were burned in my facet joints are currently growing back. I cannot specifically feel them "growing" as in pain. I just feel hints of my old daily pain coming back. I would imagine when the nerves to regenerate fully, that my pain will be the same as before I had RFA.

I didn't mention that I did have a complication from my second set of burns. It caused neuritis in my right thigh. Basically the nerves in my thigh acted up and it felt like a horrible sunburn and I couldn't stand to even wear pants. I had to of course but it was painful. I called my doctor and they gave me a steroid shot which calmed them down. My thigh is still numb and I get the electric shock feeling a lot. It's supposed to go away on it's own usually in six months or so. The shocks have gone down a lot but I still haven't gotten the feeling back on the outer side of my thigh.

Even going through all of that, I would still do RFA when the pain comes back. It's so much better than having to get epidurals or taking pain meds everyday. I figure if I get 6-8 months or however long out of it each time, its completely worth it.

[Ozworks]

Hi all,

Thanks for all this feedback, if there are more of you that have any feedback, please keep it coming. I will be on the phone today and this week to get in and see if I can have this done. After that, I am going to a Pain Management Clinic that runs for three weeks long (on-site) through the Courage Center.

I will post as I learn more, thanks much, Oz...

[Tuckamore]

I have heard of some excellent results from RFA. We have a member that swears by this procedure. I'll let her know you are asking.

Additionally if you can find anything in our archives by Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M. formerly from MedHelp's PetDocsOnCall it will be very helpful. He visited our forum and wrote extensively on his experience with RFA. He had nothing but glowing reports on the procedure and outcome.

Unfortunately RFA is not an option for me. I'll be very interested to hear about your experience also.

Regards,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

Hi Oz!!

I am so happy to see that you are checking out the RFA as I suggested to you on your other post earlier!!

Have you had a chance to talk with your Doctor as yet to be sure that you will be a candidate for the RFA?  I would love to know what his feelings on the RFA are.  :)  

You already know the wonderful success story that I have had with the RFA and how much i love this procedure.  I hope to hear the very same success story from you some day soon on your own successful RFA.  I'm hoping that you will be able to say that you are going on 24 months of being almost 100% Pain Free, too!!!

As always, wishing you the very best..........Sherry  :)

[Ozworks]

Hi all,

I just wanted to send a little update as I try to work with the VA and get an appointment setup for a nerve block. I did find out that the procedure mentioned throughout this thread as RFA is also known, at least by the VA, as a Medial Branch Block. If you Google Medial Branch Block you will see other names and what they are, there is just a boat load of information out there.

I will send an update as things progress.

Thanks, Oz...

[atonicat]

I believe the Medial Branch Block is just the diagnostic test to see if you're a candidate for RFA. They inject lidocaine into your facet joints and if it brings down your pain, they then do the RFA.

[namnam46]

Hi Oz,

As atonicat said, the Medial Branch Block is the test they give you to see if it will work for you.  If this test gives you any relief at all then they should proceed with the actual RFA.

Believe me, I'm praying that the test will work great for you.  When they did the Block with me I got relief for a day or 2 and just that short period of time made me want the RFA so much!!! It was such a relief not to feel the burning, searing and horrific pain anymore.

We're all wishing very good things for you, Oz!!

We can hardly wait to hear all of the updates from you..........Sherry  :)

[atonicat]

I only had a few hours of relief from the MBB and that was enough to make me a candidate! The MBB are good even if you're not a candidate because it can rule out your pain coming from the facet joints.

[nurseaudrea]

I have had the RFA done in my lumbar and cervical region and I will swear by them. I have had every medical procedure you can think of and this procedure is the only one that has taken the pain away from the nerve pain I have in my neck. Yes, the nerve regenerates and it varies from person to person. For me, I got three years of relief in my neck. I am having it done again this Friday. I have had horrible neck pain now for the last 18 months and have finally gotten the ins. to approve the procedure. I have had a reduction in pain in my back as well. I could not believe how well it worked. I have had so many ESI's and the effects never lasted long. The RFA was a God send. Hopefully if you decide to do it, it will work for you as well.

[runt311]

I had it done in my neck and I am having problems.Its been two weeks now and my neck is hurting so bad and my head aches are terrible not to mention the swelling. Pain management doctor wants to do the left side next.NOT!

[sixbassets]

i had this nerve block/burn done twice not..1st time helped on both sides of my lower back#s 4&5..lasted maybe 6mos...second time just approx 5 weeks ago ..did not go as well not the same relief as 1st and pain in needles was great..so today i go in 4 a steriod shot each side i hope that helps for awhile..