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iSpine Discuss rhizotomy did not really help in the Main forums forums; they said it was my facet joints and true when they did the test injections it gave me some relief ...

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Old 02-20-2011, 06:06 PM
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Default rhizotomy did not really help

they said it was my facet joints and true when they did the test injections it gave me some relief but the rhizotomy failed. i barely have 50 % better on the left at one level and none on the right. i guess drugs are coming back into my life...
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female age 45, height 5"6", 145 lbds, non smoker, conservative treatments failed, (7/2007) C4/5/6 peek disc replacements,plate & screws failed fusion,
(9/2008) revision with bone replace plate and screws, (10/2009) C3/4 stand alone peek cage, (12/2010) facet joint injections C3-7, (1/2011) rhizotomy C6/7 failed, Trouble swallowing
most recent mri (7/2011) shows ajacent level issues: right neural foraminal narrowing C2/3, posterior bulge indents thecal sac at C6/7/T1 no mass effect on cord.
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Old 02-20-2011, 07:27 PM
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I am sorry that you found little relief on something you had pinned your hopes on. Drugs can be our best friend-- also sometimes our worst enemy. You love the fact they are there but hate the need for them!

My best to you, Dale
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Old 02-20-2011, 09:13 PM
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Sorry Cheryl. I know how you feel . I've had lots of sets of injections and always hope they will help tremendously and sometimes i cannot tell any difference at all.
feel better any way you can
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2007 ACDF 4-7
2008 hip , knee scope, hip replacement
2009 thoracic T-5 thru T-11fusion
2009 VATS T7-8, posterior only T11-12. removal of thoracic hard wear
2010 lung surgery
2010 T2-L2 kyphosis correction
2010 Kyphoplasty T-3, T-4
2011 Cervical osteotomy ,revision C4-T5
2011 Foot surgery
2011 Revision fusion T7 thru L4/laminectomy
2012 Hammertoe correction left foot
2012 Revision fusion T-12 thru L5
2012 Revision fusion L4-L5
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Old 02-21-2011, 11:23 AM
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Default results

Hi Cheryl,
sorry you didn't get the results you were hoping for esp. on that one side. If meds will help w/the pain and that's the main option you have left (maybe there's another/others?) then at least it's there and hopefully will give you back a better quality of life/functioning. We have to do the best we can with the options available to us. Still sorry that things didn't work out as you hoped.
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Old 02-23-2011, 08:54 AM
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I wonder how many false positive diagnostic injections come from bathing the painful area with local anesthetic?

Sorry about the dissappointing result.

Mark
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1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
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Old 02-24-2011, 11:54 PM
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Default Mark you said it

I wondered that myself...They give you locals and steriods all at once in this multi-level deal and you feel great for about 5day-2weeks and then the rhizotomy barely touched it. Also, they will only do 1-2 levels at a time. Said something about sever dizziness if they do to many. This of course I was not told until they already had me hooked up to IV.
__________________
female age 45, height 5"6", 145 lbds, non smoker, conservative treatments failed, (7/2007) C4/5/6 peek disc replacements,plate & screws failed fusion,
(9/2008) revision with bone replace plate and screws, (10/2009) C3/4 stand alone peek cage, (12/2010) facet joint injections C3-7, (1/2011) rhizotomy C6/7 failed, Trouble swallowing
most recent mri (7/2011) shows ajacent level issues: right neural foraminal narrowing C2/3, posterior bulge indents thecal sac at C6/7/T1 no mass effect on cord.
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Old 02-26-2011, 03:06 AM
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I've had several large panels of injections all with substantial relief.

What is confusing is my recent experience. Very small, target injections yielded clear results. 2 joints painful... all surrounding costovertebral joints not painful.

I believe the results and we acted on them by ablating the 2 painful joints. I experienced some relief, but not from what is my #1 pain generator.
__________________
1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org
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Old 02-26-2011, 07:00 PM
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So Mark, what is your #1 pain generator and how do you address it?
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3 level Prodisc adr S1-L3, Oct 12, 2005
Dr. B in Bogen, Germany
Severe nerve damage in left leg, still working on it
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Old 03-07-2011, 11:47 PM
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Default Not an exact science

I guess it is why they call it practicing medicine. They told me that they thought it was my facet joints.
__________________
female age 45, height 5"6", 145 lbds, non smoker, conservative treatments failed, (7/2007) C4/5/6 peek disc replacements,plate & screws failed fusion,
(9/2008) revision with bone replace plate and screws, (10/2009) C3/4 stand alone peek cage, (12/2010) facet joint injections C3-7, (1/2011) rhizotomy C6/7 failed, Trouble swallowing
most recent mri (7/2011) shows ajacent level issues: right neural foraminal narrowing C2/3, posterior bulge indents thecal sac at C6/7/T1 no mass effect on cord.
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Old 03-08-2011, 08:25 PM
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Default Radiofrequency is not the same as laser

cherylstewart67,
In the interest of clarity, radiofrequency thermal coagulation is not the same as CT guided laser coagulation.
The latter is far longer lasting, more precise in it's implementation, and is more thorough.
Just want to make sure folks understand the difference, in case they are doing research or considering one of these procedures. Radiofrequency thermal coagulation is the "industry standard" in the U.S., even though it is an outmoded and inferior method.

Respectfully,
Jeff
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19+ years back pain w/ advancing disc degeneration.
2002-2 level lumbar IDET w/ Nucleoplasty (very unsuccessful; huge setback)
Three level lumbar Charite (L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1) with Dr. Zeegers in Munich, Germany: 2/25/05 (successful)
Two level cervical Mobi-C (C5/6, C6/7) 2/2/07 with Dr. Zeegers (successful)
Laser Facet Coagulation (left side: L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 & sacral) 11/04/10 with Prof. Dr. Reul / Beta Klinik (significant reduction in remnant lumbar & sacral pain)

Last edited by JeffreyD; 03-09-2011 at 05:58 AM.
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