Has Facet Rhizotomy Helped Anyone?

RobertB · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 05:24 AM

Hi. I'm new to this forum and at 54 years of age suffered with neck pain for several years. X-rays, MRIs, and EMGs revealed deterioration and arthritis in C2 area. Surgery was not recommended and I was referred to a Pain Mgmt. facility. I had facet injections bilateral which gave short term relief but seemingly confirmed the problem area, and RF was recommended. I am 3 weeks out of facet rhizotomy and have experienced some notable side effects: Muscle spasms and cramps in back and calf (lower legs) areas. Tingling and numbness in upper leg joints. My neck feels stiff and so far that is the only difference. My pain was increased 100% following the procedure and it has diminished somewhat, but I still have as much or more of the same neck pain that I had before the procedures. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time contacting the doctor to ask questions; his staff is a single nurse that is impossible to talk to when she does manage to return a phone call. I've asked the same questions 4-5 times and gotten no answers: Is it possible the RF wasn't hot enough? Can the procedure be repeated? Are there patients that realize absolutely no relief? What is the next step? I realize that 3 weeks is still early and it may take up to 6 weeks to realize benefits but I would very much appreciate hearing from others that have experienced a rhizotomy, especially so high in the prime real estate area of C2. Best wishes to those of you who are suffering or recovering from neck or back pain and surgical procedures. Thank you for reading my story. I'm hoping to hear someone out there has had some success with RF oblation.

Keano16 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 09:27 AM

Its quite possible that they missed the appropriate spot with RF heat probe... Just a thought.....

dshobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 07:51 PM

Hi Robert,

I really can't comment on your specifics but did want to welcome you to the forum. I hope others can chime in and give you some of the answers you so need.

I will tell you, your doctors office should be more responsive to your questions. Don't know what your approach is but you might try something more forceful.

Good luck and welcome, Dale

JeffreyD · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2011, 08:13 PM

Absolutely yes, but not radiofrequency....CT-Guided Laser worked for me.
-Jeff

cherylstewart67 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2011, 01:43 AM

I had facet rhizotomy and it didn't help me at all. All the test blocks they did worked for about 1 1/2 weeks then all of those wonderful steriods and pain meds went by-by. They do that to test whether or not you are a candidate for rhizotomy. Sure you're going to feel better when they hit all leves of your neck, but then they only do 1-2 levels with rhizotomy. Which they failed to advised me before they had me hooked up to the IV sedation! Can you imagine that??? It was a waste of my money and time...

RobertB · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 05:38 PM

Thanks to everyone that replied. Jeffrey, the laser coagulation has given me a new hope/option. Cheryl, sounds like we have some experience in common. I'm being pushed to have more injections to C3-C5 in preparation for another rhizotomy. Doctor said "Oh the C2 was to help your headaches, not the neck pain". Begining to feel like a head of cattle. Round 'em up, shoot 'em up, move 'em out, <Rawhide!> I don't see that many other options available to steroid/local 'baths' and burning. Very disappointed at this point.

Justboedie · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 04:42 AM

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 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 04:53 PM

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 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2011, 03:08 AM

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

Keano16 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2011, 08:05 AM

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 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 03:11 PM

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 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 05:08 PM

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 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 05:26 PM

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 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-07-2011, 04:27 AM

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

Nora654 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-21-2013, 06:01 AM

I had a facet rhizotomy 3+years ago. Still working just fine. Had it done by a Dr Shah in Plano Tx. It was to my c3,4,5. My pain is gone. My doctor told me it can last 1 to 8 years. I do cervical traction daily, neck exercises daily and swimming 5 days a week. I have cervical stenosis, cervical scoliosis, bulging 3 cervical discs and arthritic cervical spurs. Also use a ECM pillow. Hope this helps if thinking about rhizotomy. Nora