Anyone had Radiofrequency Ablation for back pain?

[guestofclanmackenzie]

Posting in here for traffic and I didn't know where else to post it.

L4 and L5 discs are herniated following a back injury fifteen years ago. After spending four years on the waiting list, on Wednesday I had radiofrequency ablation plus remedial branch block.
However, I am concerned that the pain hasn't subsided, in fact its got worse. I have a dull, throbbing, achy feeling radiating from my back into my hamstrings and glute area. I would describe the feeling as mild labour pains. I'm due a post procedure follow up call from pain management in the next day or two, so I'll mention it then, but I wondered if anyone else had experienced the same as me?

Hiya,

I've had the branch block but not the ablation yet - my consultant wouldn't do both at once - he said he wanted to see how effective the block was, before deciding if we needed to go further. I've got degenerative disc disease in a few of my lower discs & osteoarthritis in my sacral joint (hip!)

After the block, I was really sore & it took a good few days for me to feel like any of my pain had actually improved but I can't say that I had any 'different' pain to 'normal' during that time.

I'd ring today & run it by them - just to be sure. X

Thanks for your reply. They usually do two tests (branch block) before the radiofrequency ablation. However I had my first test 18 months ago and I couldn't face waiting another 18 months or longer before having the procedure so I agreed to have both done in one appointment.

I've just left a message on the consultant's secretary's voicemail asking for a callback so hopefully i'll get some answers soon.
In the meantime im dosing up with dihydrocodeine and ibuprofen and trying to stay positive!

@guestofclanmackenzie

Back pain is horrendous. So debilitating, too. Take care.

Yes, I have had 3 or 4 RFA to my SI joints. The pain does get worse before it gets better especially after the very first one I ever had. Infact it was about 4 weeks before I could sit without sitting on an ice pack. They’re not a permanent fix but it reduces the pain. I had my right one done last December and I’m waiting for my left one to be redone. That one was done 2 years ago.