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

[Ozworks]

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

[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.

[duddly]

My guess is that they went too deep with the needles and poked a nerve, that will cause symptoms that you are describing. they are only supposed to position them next to the nerve facets as to avoid problems as you were describing. I had a friend who went through a lumbar RFA and lost function in his foot and ankle. He had to wear a foot brace to keep from tripping on his feet all the time. He eventually regained feeling and control after about 8 months.

[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]

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.

[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