eek:As many of you know I am struggling with an area in my left hip that seems to be getting worse despite multiple changes in medication, too many nerve blocks to count and multiple trips 200 miles one way to see my wonderful pain doc and his lovely PA. This last visit I saw my docs partner, she stated that I have had "far" too many blocks and steriod injections. She feels that I need to have a nerve ablation. From what little research I have done it does not look like something this darned old nurse wants to proceed with. However I am not sure how much longer I will be able to continue my work in surgery, on the acute care floor and in the ER.....
I guess I just want to hear what the thoughts round here are about this "lovely" procedure
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Well, I had a Radio Frequency Neurotomy (or ablation) many years ago that increased my hypersensitivity permanently. I have difficulty with vibrations (being in a car), environmental sensitivities (being in public means vibrations and noise and wind and light...) And so on.. Some have had good results, but many have not. This is an outdated procedure and I would question how knowledgeable your doc is inregards to RSD/CRPS.

http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_143.htm

Please research other treatment options. The doc that performed my RF described it as if it was like a more intense, longer lasting version of a Stellate Ganglion Block. It was the nightmare that has kept giving for the past 10 years or so. It just isn't worth the risk IMO.

I have no personal experience with ablation, but most everything I've read on it has not been positive.

It's always "risk vs reward". I think the risk it too high with ablation and it would not be something I would consider.

Hooshmand (CRPS guru who I trust) has written that ablation is the most traumatic and invasive form of treatment, useless for advanced cases of CRPS. It can cause rapid spread of CRPS and more pain for the patient. See the link that LIT LOVE provided in post #2.

Do homework, lots and lots of homework before considering this.

Good luck to you!