Tim &Bailey
Silver Member
How is this procedure done?
Once a structure has been determined to be a pain generator, its nerve supply is targeted for interruption. A small insulated needle or RF cannula is positioned next to these nerves with fluoroscopic guidance (live video X-Ray). Your doctor knows where to place the RF cannula because he is an expert in anatomy. The shaft of this cannula except for the last 5 to 10 mm is covered with a protective insulation so that the electric current only passes into the surrounding tissues from the very tip of the cannula. When the cannula appears to be in good position, the doctor may perform a test and release a small amount of electric current through the needle tip at two different frequencies. This test helps to confirm that the cannula tip is in close proximity to the target nerve and that it is not near any other nerve. After a successful test confirms good cannula tip position, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area. The RF generator is then used to heat the cannula tip for up to 90 seconds, and thus the target nerve is destroyed.
Does the procedure hurt?
This procedure is no more painful than any other injection procedure that is performed in interventional pain management. Patients are often given mild intravenous sedation during the procedure, but sedation is not absolutely required. Deep sedation is not a safe alternative and is therefore not offered for my RF procedures. It is quite common for neck or back pain to increase for a few days or longer after the RFL procedure before it starts to improve.
http://www.spinedallas.com/radiofrequency-ablation-interventional-spine-pain-doctor-dallas-tx.html
I Thought I'd post this because I am going to have this done for a second time in 8 months this morning. First because I feel I have drawn close to more then a few of you and if you dont see me a few days I am laid up recovering.
The last line of the pain increasing for a few days after is the other reason I am posting this. If anybody else is getting or about to get this procedure I hope and pray this will prepare them.
I am not trying to scare anyone I just wanted people to know about a week after last time I felt as if my neck was on fire. This I was told is normal and will subside in a day or so. Well during that time frame the pain became so intense it sent me into an anxiety attack that lasted well over a week because the pain came on so suddenly and I didn't expect it.
People have asked why do it again then? The simple answer is the benefit from about a month after until I tried to run again 6 months later was the most dulled the pain has been since my injury in late 05.
Hope today is in repeating the procedure we can get longer relief. If this don't work I have one more shot and then they are talking fusing C 2-6. Not something I am willing to entertain at this time. I havent heard one person who has had spinal fusion say they are happy they did it.
Thoughts and prayers are welcome and needed today and for the next week. thanks all for caring and being there.
Tim & Bailey
Once a structure has been determined to be a pain generator, its nerve supply is targeted for interruption. A small insulated needle or RF cannula is positioned next to these nerves with fluoroscopic guidance (live video X-Ray). Your doctor knows where to place the RF cannula because he is an expert in anatomy. The shaft of this cannula except for the last 5 to 10 mm is covered with a protective insulation so that the electric current only passes into the surrounding tissues from the very tip of the cannula. When the cannula appears to be in good position, the doctor may perform a test and release a small amount of electric current through the needle tip at two different frequencies. This test helps to confirm that the cannula tip is in close proximity to the target nerve and that it is not near any other nerve. After a successful test confirms good cannula tip position, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area. The RF generator is then used to heat the cannula tip for up to 90 seconds, and thus the target nerve is destroyed.
Does the procedure hurt?
This procedure is no more painful than any other injection procedure that is performed in interventional pain management. Patients are often given mild intravenous sedation during the procedure, but sedation is not absolutely required. Deep sedation is not a safe alternative and is therefore not offered for my RF procedures. It is quite common for neck or back pain to increase for a few days or longer after the RFL procedure before it starts to improve.
http://www.spinedallas.com/radiofrequency-ablation-interventional-spine-pain-doctor-dallas-tx.html
I Thought I'd post this because I am going to have this done for a second time in 8 months this morning. First because I feel I have drawn close to more then a few of you and if you dont see me a few days I am laid up recovering.
The last line of the pain increasing for a few days after is the other reason I am posting this. If anybody else is getting or about to get this procedure I hope and pray this will prepare them.
I am not trying to scare anyone I just wanted people to know about a week after last time I felt as if my neck was on fire. This I was told is normal and will subside in a day or so. Well during that time frame the pain became so intense it sent me into an anxiety attack that lasted well over a week because the pain came on so suddenly and I didn't expect it.
People have asked why do it again then? The simple answer is the benefit from about a month after until I tried to run again 6 months later was the most dulled the pain has been since my injury in late 05.
Hope today is in repeating the procedure we can get longer relief. If this don't work I have one more shot and then they are talking fusing C 2-6. Not something I am willing to entertain at this time. I havent heard one person who has had spinal fusion say they are happy they did it.
Thoughts and prayers are welcome and needed today and for the next week. thanks all for caring and being there.
Tim & Bailey
