Pain after RFA on spine done

[Rita732]

It's been two weeks since I've had RFA done on my lower back.  I'm still in pain but only in the area of where the RFA was done.  I'm seeing my doctor today.  Is having pain two weeks after procedure normal?

[DaveBradford]

HI my names david, i have had chronic back pain for 2 1/2 years, after hundreds of appointments, MRIs and treatments, a physio on ( a private physio! finally diagnosed correctly = SI joint dysfunction). anyway had a successful injection which has wore off and had rfa 1 and a half ago, however rather than have a gradual drecease have a short increase after the op. i felt great for a day or 2 then a large increase in pain, im worried now that it wont work ( because i really need this to work im 20 try for the 3rd time to start uni in September)

[Nlw1974]

Just had mine done Monday. Been in extreme pain ever since. Can't seem to grt any relief. My leg seems to have forgotten what it is suppose to do and now I'm experiencing twitching in my inner thigh area. Pls help!!!

[Nlw1974]

Not sure why it's showing up this way. With all the symbols and numbers

[lober911]

Just had my second. Left lumbar spine in October but I went right back to work, with restrictions. However,  I was not able to do my job with the restrictions so I had to work through it!
Had the right side done last week and I had immediate relief. Once the lidocaine wore off it was a different story. I am a 5-6 all the time and I am just miserable.
Back to Dr on Tuesday I sure hope for some answers

[joysie69]

I had my RFA exactly 2 weeks ago have not got any relief and today i have felt worse muscle spasm and that sharp pain going right through me. Don't meet with my Dr til Feb 11 not sure if this is normal either.    J

[JaiKaGoWin]

Hello MiZero228,

My name is Jaimie, I'm 27 years old, from West Michigan. I read your post and although I realize it was well over a month ago, I was just wondering what your doctor had to say about the increased pain after the rhizotomy? It seems that we have very similar stories, except I've also had to undergo 2 spinal fusions (which should have never been done since I was only 19!) plus a 3rd spine surgery. Then finally they decided on the rhizotomy, I thought it was a good choice and was all for it.. didn't receive much info like many others on here. I'm almost 4 months post RFA and my pain is incredibly higher than it was before the procedure. In my back it feels like the muscles are in one big knot, causing pressure which could cause pain; but the pain in my legs.. I would get the occasional shooting pain in my R leg but never anything more. {keep in mind I'm on a muscle relaxor 3* a day} It feels almost like a massive charley horse/growing pain that will NOT go away or loosen at all, no matter what I do! It's getting to the point where I'm almost wondering if they messed up because I never had problems like this before, not in the last 10 years of having to deal with debilitating low back pain. I won't see my doctor again till she returns from maternity leave, so like you, I'm at a loss and ready to throw in the towel.. but I'm only 27 so that's not an option!
Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED and I thank you in advance!

Blessings,
     Jaimie

[Tuckamore]

Hi Amy,

Welcome. Unfortunately this is an old post on MedHelp. Many - if not all of the ppl that have posted on this thread posted one time and did not return. Old threads are not read as often and often go unnoticed in this community. I suggest you being a new thread "Post a Question" for better visibility and more responses.

I am so sorry to read about your worsening pain! My heart goes out to you. This is not my normal stomping grounds. You can usually find me (and others) in the Pain Management Community. I do check in her from time to time. Phil has been off with some issues. Sadly I've not seen him for over a month. He's been such a wealth of information for this community.

I have not had an RFA done - I probably never will due in part to this thread and others I have read. When it works it's awesome - when it doesn't I her from ppl like you! I have chronic pain the my C 5-7 and my T 1-3, similar to yours.

I would contact the practitioner that preformed your RFA.   If it wasn't your PMP I would also contact him/her. I've read and researched a lot about RFA - and what I know is that it should not be causing you this much discomfort. When performed correctly it should reduce your pain - not increase it. Sometimes there is a short period of increased discomfort 24-48 hours. If I am calculating right it's been 8 days since your RFA - any procedure produced increase in pain should be long gone. Please call your physician.

I hope you'll let us know how you are doing - and begin that new thread as I suggested. I'll look forward to hearing more from you.

Best Regards,
~Tuck