Has Facet Rhizotomy Helped Anyone?

[Justboedie]

Hi Robert,

Yes I had it last summer and it was 100% successful. It took just over 8 weeks to take effect and lasted 10 months. However, 10 months later the pain came back with avengence. I had the procedure again 7/1/2011. That was seven and half weeks ago and I am still hurting a lot. I take 8 tramadol a day and wear a Butan pain patch. I swear the pain is worst this time after having the procedure done. I saw my pain doctor today and I told him I have been having muscle spasms all over my body. Even to the point of having involuntary reflexes, arm, leg shoulder movement. He says this is unrelated to the procedure but I am having a hard time swallowing that. I just noticed it shortly after the procedure took place this year.

Laura in Texas

[jsewell]

I just wanted to welcome our 2 new members. I am sorry you are both here in the world of hurt. but welcome to a virtual friendship community (and not so much virtual at times).
Praying that you find some relief from this horrible life of pain
judy

[ADR seeker]

I have never read anything good coming from RF ablations. It does harm and no good. It's a kickback procedure.

[Keano16]

I know many local patient who benefit from it.

Recent advances in RF technology and work of some doctor has enabled to use RF also for discogenic low back pain.

However, we in Croatia prefer:
1. Infiltrations
2. if successful, then dorsal endoscopic rhizotomy

[cherylstewart67]

I had test facet injections done in Dec 2010 and then just over two weeks later the rhizotomy and it did nothing for me. To add insult to injury they are billing me out of network after they said they were in with my insurance. I traveled from OKlahoma City to Dallas 3 1/2 hours out of my way and let them talk me into to it and it didn't even help and now I am fighting over the billing mess them made!

[jsewell]

Cheryl i am so sorry, i hate billing messes. I cleared one big one up with the spine surgeon that ruined my lung function , now i get another bill from him.
judy

[dshobbies]

Spending all day on the phone just to straighten out whatever billing mess happens too frequently and is always 'human' error.

A while ago, I was quoted one price for a consultation (alternative therapy) but when leaving, I was charged almost double. The excuse "I'm human, I made a mistake. It happens." Because her response was too immediate and rehearsed, I accused her of deliberately quoting the wrong price. The in office crisis I created by refusing to pay the additional amount was second only to ????. My response - learn from your mistakes and you won't make the same one again. I still can't believe the audacity of that entire office.

Stand your ground people. If told they operated within your network but did not - their mistake, their responsibility.

Judy, I think - if a doctor agrees not to bill you, it's like admitting he made a mistake and can be used against him.

[teg]

My cervical rhyzotomy was very successful and I will be having my lumbar spine later this week. My pain management specialist did diagnostic injections with a short-action steriod to see if my facet joints we casuing any of my problems. When I noticed that I had more range of motion in my neck, I hasked for the cervical rhyzotomy. That was don ath 4-levels in Ovt 2010 and the results have been good.

I went through the same deal with my lumbar spine. 3 bi-lateral levels tested. I as able to walk with much less discumfort. My only dissappointment is that the PM will only do side at a time.

Good luck Robery