Anyone Have Good Results with RF Rhizotomy??

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

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.  

[Susanna117]

Hi, I had RF for lumbar pain with excellent results!  I am thrilled and am completely medication free now.  I would recommend this procedure for anyone who had tried other treatments that have not worked.  I live in Grand Rapids Mich and my MD is Kevin Fitzgerald, who comes recommened by other medical professionals. ~Susanna

[Phoebebb]

Has anyone tried Protandim?

[kathy233]

To Jim Humphries, I just noticed your postitng is really old, hopefully you had it done.  If so, please let me know if you see this posting how yours went!

[kathy233]

I just had this done today--it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  I had it done in the L5-S1 area by a certified pain management doctor/anesthesiologist, Dr. Mark Meyer, in Colorado Springs.  I had a steroid injection 6 months ago, with no improvement, I had been suffering with this back pain since August of 2012, almost a year ago.  Muscle spasms on the lower right side, almost above my buttock, sounds just like yours.  Excruciating, I went to PT for months and even had hollow needling done, which helped some.  I've been on Cymbalta for 6 months, it has helped tremendously I cut my use of opiods in halfMade it liveable. Can't take NSAIDS, because I'm in early stages of kidney disease.  It was somewhat unpleasant, but they do sedate you--just don't knock you out.  But the pain of the RF was nothing compared to the constant back pain I've been in.  He said it would take a week to start feeling improvement, I guess it takes that long for the lesion to grow over the burnt nerve.  It's not that bad, felt like the shots from the medial nerve blocks I had to diagnose the level.  I'm still feeling the muscle spasm pain at lower right, that's where most of my chronic pain is coming from.  But the left side already feels better from the arthritis (facet joint pain).  I'll repost in a week to let you know how much it's improved.  

[TwinsMommma]

i am sorry too, Jim....you have been so helpful in providing information and i was hoping good things would come back to you!

my 2 medial block diagnostics went well...so i am scheduled for RF this friday...excited and nervous...

Jim, Shelly and braveheart2....were you guys prescibed additional pain meds for post inflamation pain ...that is meds in addition to what you may have been already taking...just trying to get my questions ready etc..etc..any other thoughts, suggestions or 'heads up'???  how much post RF pain do u think compared to the diagnostics...which was not much...but this one RF i guess causes inflammation flare i heard...i'm wondering if i should have a prescription ready just in case before friday...i see my PCP tommorow who takes care of my pain management (with approval from RF dr)...so i am do for my normal meds and wondering if i need something else 'as needed' type...i now take an ext release every 12 hrs w/ breakthru as needed as we are just on the first month of ER...any thoughts??

[ChiariWolf]

Thank You Jim, I appreciate your explanation. It helps me to understand the Drs answer just a bit better.

Perhaps Monday we'll give the Dr the go ahead. I did note that you stated above that at this point your pain is worse. What the Dr intends to do will give me about a month before the actual RF procedure is preformed. If your pain does not start diminishing by then.... well then maybe you could note that here??? At any rate I thank you for helping me to better understand this procedure.