Viewing 6 posts - 13 through 18 (of 18 total)
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  • Robertden
    Participant
    Post count: 12

    No temporary relief after RFA or epidural steroid injections. The only time I had relief was the 3 month period after the 3 level ACDF.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8653

    If you are going down the RFA pathway, you should consider the C2-3 and C3-4 joints as potential pain generators. The medial branch blocks should be directed to those joints with a pain diary (as noted earlier). Make sure that the C1-2 joint is not degenerative on the MRI (rare-but not impossible).

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Robertden
    Participant
    Post count: 12

    Thanks Doctor. Good advice that I’ll bring up with my doctor.Have a good weekend.

    Robertden
    Participant
    Post count: 12

    Hi Doctor, It’s me again.(After the pain and headaches returned after a 3 level ACDF) I had the RFA at the C3/C4 levels and I think the doctor was particularily aggressive. Now I have had major pain from presumably nerve ablated internal wounds in the back of the head;now a couple of months later still. It’s accompanied by headaches, chills weakness diarrehea in the morning, The doctor gave me meloxicam but little if any relief. I’m miserable and lie in bed most of the time.I want to start anew. My readings about the subject mention possiblities such as nerve damage and infection(though I don’t think I’m infected. Dr. Corenman what should I do now? What to look for and what tests can I request? What’s your general educated best guess causing my misery? Thanks, Rob Denaut

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8653

    You probably do not have an infection but do need to be checked for one. There are simple lab tests (ESR, CRP, white count) that an help point away from infection so I would consider that. If the RFA did not ablate the medial branch (nerve) but just injured it, I have found that a steroid injection around the injury site (after infection ruled out) can be helpful.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Robertden
    Participant
    Post count: 12

    Thank you. That will be my guidance.

Viewing 6 posts - 13 through 18 (of 18 total)
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