I'm supposed to have a lumbar radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) done on
10/4. I have information on the procedure, so I know what it is and
how it works. What I'd like to know is, has anyone else had this done?
Did it work for you? Did the pain return when the nerves grew back?

Thanks!

We just discussed this yesterday in Linda's thread ....

http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=906

I'm reading the thread right now. Thanks!

Braindrain,

I think because we discussed this so negatively yesterday...I feel compelled to tell you that I was reading another board yesterday and this person reports she did have a positive experience with this procedure. Many people do report positive experiences with this procedure, but it does have to be repeated and I think as many of us pointed out, we just do not know the long term side effects since this procedure was originally used on cancer patients and their illness was terminal...

Read on though...I do not know if I can post a link to another board, but it is a spinal board...

http://www.backpainsupportgroup.com/...c;f=1;t=009906

I clicked on the link, but I can't read the message because I'm not a
registered member of that board.

Hi there, I've just found these boards and would like to share my positive result from RF.

My C spine has been done twice and I am currently booked for a third trip. Pain relief (for me) lasted approx a year. I had suffered daily cervicogenic headache, come migraine, due to various problems above and below my two level (failed) fusion. I couldn't believe how wonderful I felt following my RF procedure....considering I'd gone there with few expectations that anything would work. I was rock bottom when it was finally offered, and I can tell you that I would have accepted whatever they offered in hope of ridding myself of sickening pain. I felt so elated when I realised I was feeling a bit normal again. It did take about three weeks for procedure aches to settle down.....and you must expect the initial pain associated to the surgical trauma. In my opinion they were mild compared to the daily grind of head/neck pain I knew.

It's my experience that the nerve "did grow back" after a year or so. Perhaps regenerated is a better term to use. My OSS told me to expect anything from 8 months to 18 months and I feel delighted to have made it to a year. I am most confident in having repeat RF's because I know that my OSS is very experienced, and practiced, in the art of this procedure. I do believe that success is determined by skill of the practitioner....and in the determination to help you. It also requires a positive block to qualify in the first instance as a candidate. If you have the opportunity to go ahead. Take it. I gather you know It's to do with facet joint rather than disc matter.

I wish you the very best ahead.

I'm sure there will be some post surgical pain, but I'm used to that (I've
had a couple of brain surgeries in the past 11 years). What I'm really
hoping for is better mobility. I know it won't be perfect, but I'd prefer
a cane to this walker I'm using at the moment.

Yes, I know about the facet joints, because the doctor gave me an
information sheet about the procedure and it specifically mentions
the facet joints. My discs are degenerating anyway, so there's
nothing they can do about that.

Okay, I've got a silly question: after the procedure and the post-op
pain wore off, were you able to sit anywhere comfortably? I haven't
been able to sit in the kitchen to eat for over a year! The old chairs
were wooden, with cushions and when I got up from the table, if I
didn't have my cane right next to me, I'd fall on the floor because
my legs were so stiff from sitting on the wooden chair. The same
thing with metal chairs or cement benches. To this day, I eat all
my meals in my room because I can't use the stools that are in the
kitchen now. Is there any chance that this will improve after the
procedure?

Hi, my name is Linda and I had this procedure done also in my lumbar region last Thursday. I had no IV, nothing to relax, I went into my doctors office and bam! I was on his table almost an hour. I have to admit too, that it was painful and also kind of traumatic. I really have never had anything done to me when I was awake that even compares to it. Afterwards I was quite sore. Now this morning, I thought I could feel the old pain. This afternoon, I could not notice it as much, but then again, I had a terrible day. I am not real far along in the what comes after of this, but I will have to see what happens in the next few weeks. For me, the jury is still out. I am too new to this to say if it is better. For what it is worth-Linda

I had a 3 level Facet-joint Rhizotomy done in December 05 and my pain has just come back this month. I would say I had a great result and would get it done again. I had it done as a day-procedure in hospital and was knocked-out (heavily sedated but could apparently talk to the Docs.) for the procedure. I wouldnt do it unsedated. I was sore/achey for the first day or two afterwards but the relief I got was fabulous. Now thats its worn-off I can really feel the difference.

Well, I know that I may feel sore for a few days after the procedure, but
I'm hoping that it doesn't last too long.

I'm confused about the anesthetic part of the procedure. According to
the paper I have, it only mentions a local anesthetic, but lindy said she
didn't get anything and tonia said they knocked her out. Does this all
depend on the doctor doing the procedure?

tonia, what was your mobility like after the procedure? Were you able
to move around comfortably? Did you have any stiffness in your legs?
Like I said, I know I probably won't be 100% better, but I'd like to be
able to get around with a quad cane, instead of this bulky walker I'm
using at the moment.

Thanks, ladies!