Has anyone experienced Rhizotomy? Ablation?

I'm counting the days til I can go in for one for L4 facet joints. Hoping someone has experienced this type of treatment. If so, how was the outcome?

The pain the pain the pain. You know the pain that makes you cry out, because you forgot to stay on top of it?

Feels like I've been slammed with sledge hammer in back of legs, calf and hip.

So, here's to numbing the nerves.

Wonderful! There is hope! I would chew on bark if it would help. Glad at least 1 of your areas had relief.

Will you try again in lumbar? Or is it a one shot deal?

Soon. I wasn't aware of a pre-test thing. The issue is along with Facet there is also something going on that causes pain down the whole leg, the calf, the shin.

I wasn't given anything from doc except lidocaine for my first cortisone injections. And only had the numbing lidocaine for the epidural. I handled both fine. If the rhizotomy takes longer I will take pain med before I go :)

Sooooo good to hear it has worked for you! :)


The pain is still fighting the Vicodin as I type this, gotta get calm (whew)

Oh no, they can be repeated like every 6 months or so. I now have pain pump, the first one was implanted back in 2005 & the battery on it finally died & I had to have another new pump put in last Feb a year ago. The back pain is about as controlled as it can be, I am on Baclofen which really helps in that area. A lot depends now on my activities.

Getting calmer, Abilene, thanks for checking :)

Ah 6 months, this makes sense considering what is done to the nerve.

Had MRI for both cervical and lumbar areas. Cervical showed stenosis with slipped disc (bulging into cord area) nerve conduct test showed long time nerve damage in left arm. I have tingling in both hands. I have hyperreflexia. My gait is off, so I had a brain MRI, luckily brain was clean, nothing of note showing anything related to MS or other issues (knock wood) I do have Menieres in left ear, had it since my early 30s...mostly deaf in left ear. Constant tinnitus, occasional vertigo. That could be my gait issue. The pain from cervical area is nowhere near the pain in lumbar. Doc sent me to pain center to manage lumbar issues. They seem pretty busy and are quite...intense.
The group for my back surgeon is top notch where I live. They support an NFL team. I trust them. Another doc from same group fixed my left wrist when I fell and broke it last January, I have 8 screws and a plate.

2 small dogs. Rescue siblings, male and female. Someone showed me how to use their leash from the front (they have long skinny necks so I use a harness instead of a neck collar) this helps with pulling and gives me lots more control. I wonder about the 3x daily walks with them too. They are a mix of every kind of hyper packed into 17 and 22 lbs. (walking them, and having them has been a super duper help to depression and anxiety). They are almost 3 and getting mildly calmer...I was walking them when I fell and broke my left wrist in January, but to be fair, we were on ice.
We are looking into hiring a trainer to help with walking them in a calmer way - they go nuts when people with other dogs go by. So yes, great suggestion, in my long winded answer, it's definitely a need-to-do!

PS surgeon said no walking dogs for two weeks after cervical surgery. My husband is taking time off, and we are flying our daughter in for a week yo help.

Agree Abilene, I think docs have numbers they give out in best case scenarios. I only say this after reading several threads about experiences with this type of fusion. The more I educate myself about having 3 fusions at once, in hospital, I see that recovery is not to be taken lightly. My biggest concerns are being able to swallow my morning meds (meds for issues other than CP). I may end up sprinkling them on applesauce. And my dogs jumping up onto the big chair near my neck. I'm thinking for the first few days I may stay upstairs, the dogs are gated into a large area down here, until I can get an all clear to come down.

Thank you Sunny, for sharing your experience! I got through first L4 injections fine, and also did ok with my first epidural on L5 last month, glad to hear that relief IS possible!


I've come to see that pain reveals it's head unannounced, and other times I know I've overdone and am not surprised by it. At least for me. If i don't stay on top of the pain with my Vicodin, then bam, it hits hard.

I called and checked about my lumbar area rhizotomy and yes, first visit is the test, two weeks later I get the ablation. If this helps even for a few months I'll be over the moon. To not have to take Vicodin for this pain will be fantastic. (Hubby pointed out my cervical surgery is happening a week after Rhizotomy) crazy.

Anyway, I was telling my hubby about this forum and all the good advice I've been getting and putting the advice to work really helps.
You guys are so helpful. I hope you know how appreciated you are!

Case in point, planning to wash the pots n pans from last nights dinner. I'll have cupboard door below sink open, foot rested on that ledge, switch feet and take breaks.

I went to lift the gallon of milk for my coffee and said to hubby, these things are so dang heavy! Then we laughed, I'm in my early 50s, this is insane!!! I look back at the 20 year old me and think, I had no idea what was ahead (glad I didn't)...

Sorry for the long rant. Coffee is kicking in :)

Post Edited (ThinkHappy) : 7/9/2014 5:18:07 AM (GMT-6)

Spot on Abeline. I've been so stressed out about the ablation occurring so close to the surgery. Simple solution, changing, postponing the appt for further dealings with low back. It's time to prioritize! I have two pre-op appts. coming up. Cervical surgery and recovery is #1. Spoke with a few close people in my life this week and they all said the same, they would not recommend or personally have so much done in one month.

Will update as the surgery nears. It is the first week of August. I'm staying busy, meditating, painting/sketching, walking dogs, icing and heating both lumbar area and neck area. Doc says depending on what he finds during surgery will either be hard or soft neck brace. He expects only one nights stay at hospital (knock wood!)

I know of two people in my life who have had this same surgery and have done very well. I'm focusing in this kind of post-surgery outcome :)


Doc did mention it taking months for grafts to work ( have had tooth graft so I can imagine what I'm in for). Again, reading all the varied post-op experiences here in this forum have been so helpful!

I keep imagining bendy straws, get the bendy straws.

The first week of August has come and gone so you probably are in a cute little collar and NOT walking your dogs yet. Wishing for you the best of recovery, just like the people you know who have done this before. Just wanted you to know you are being thought of. Take very good care of yourself! We would love to hear from you but only when you are up to it.