Re: Denervation for facet joint syndrome

[Guest guest]

,

I heard of a lady getting this done, but unfortunately I haven't been

able to contact her for several months, so I don't know if it was

successful. She'd been having severe pain problems after her

revision, and she had gotten her iliac screws removed already with no

relief from the pain. Her doctor was hoping that this procedure (I

think it's what you're describing, but I'm not positive) would give

her some relief.

>

> Dear Pumpsters,

>

> Has anyone had denervation in the spine (it's also called lysis,

rhizotomy) I am considering denervation by laser or perhaps heat or

radio waves--I would like to know if there is someone who has had

this with good results? I have facet arthropathy/facet joint

syndrome. I have had spine trauma and severe chronic pain. The only

thing that has helped has been nerve blocks. I am concerned that the

nerves could grow back and cause worse pain.

>

> Any thoughts about treatment for facet joint pain will be

appreciated. Thank you.

>

> Kind Regards,

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I had this procedure done on both sides of my lower facet joints back in August.

I had

aggravated my condition by sitting at a ball game for several hours, without

getting up to

stretch. My chronic pain became very acute and I could barely walk or move

without

screaming. After a diagnostic nerve block, the doctor determined that I'd be a

good

candidate. You HAVE to go through that first step because if you feel no pain

relief at that

point, you should not proceed. I had one side done and then about 2 weeks

later, I had the

other side done. It took a bit longer to kick in than I expected but once it

did, I was again

able to stand up straight for MOST of the day and the searing, shooting pain was

all gone. I

still have pain from my disc degeneration, but the nerve denervation took care

of the worst

of it. If the pain returns, I will have the procedure again for sure. It's

similar to having an

epidural. It takes a little longer and you'd probably want a little sedative.

The worst part was

the electrical jolt they send to the area, to make sure they are in the right

area. Your muscles

thump and it's kind of oogy. Good luck to you!

Jill