Back Pain Forum - Leg pain after nerve ablation

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Q: Leg pain after nerve ablation

asked by: loulaar on May 4th, 2009

New User

hi everyone, i live in the UK and have been seeing my pain doctor for a few years now.
i have had mri scans etc you name it i have had it thank god for the NHS , anyway after having physio many times and accupunture and hot and cold packs and exercises and every other non invasive stuff i went to then have the facet blocks, which i have had about 8 done over the years if not more, and now they are not working.
i was offered the nerve ablation all done in hospital so no problems there,
however it was done on thursday and it is now tuesday and i seem to be in more pain with the what i call the pinching and burning feeling that i get in my butt and hip and down the back of my left leg.
this time he did the sacroilliac area he said, but i had at least 5 injections with the pulses to make sure it was in the right spot then they knocked me out for the rest.
this pain i have now seems to be the area that i had pain in before.
so has he done the right area, or does it take a while for it too work?
i have a follow up in 2 to 3 months which is how it works in the UK , in the mean time i am back on the meds again.
there is no apparent damege to myself on mri or xray ,
all i have been told that it was facet joints and sacroilliac joint on my left side.
any advice would be great
thanks
louise
36 years old too.

Replies(1)

littleonefb

replied on May 4th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy (online)

It is not uncommon to suffer an increase in pain for several days to several weeks after having nerve ablation done.

There can be an increase in muscle spasms as well as nerve pain, until the nerves heal from the ablation.

Doctors usually prescribe several weeks worth of muscle relaxers, percoet for pain and a nerve medication to help the patient through the first few weeks after the procedure.

Nerve ablation doesn't work for all people. In some it can make the pain worse for several weeks, then return to the pain that was originally present.
Others obtain immediate relief of pain.
Still others have a couple of weeks of increased pain that then starts to subside and then complete relief is felt.

Nerve ablation pain relief can last a few weeks to a few months and up to 18 months.

The nerves will grow back and most patients return to the pain they where in prior to having the nerve ablation done.

Nerve ablation can be repeated if has helped the patient.

You need to call the doctor that did the nerve ablation and tell him/her how much pain you are in following the procedure and tell the doctor how the pain has increased and you need pain medications and nerve meds as well.

Good luck

Fran

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