What to Expect from Radiofrequency Ablation at Penn Medicine

In this video, you will find information regarding coming to Penn Medicine for radiofrequency ablation. Physical medicine and rehabilitation nurse, Nicole Blitzer, walks through what you can expect from this three part, minimally invasive pain relief procedure.
#PennMedicine

[@jaymd396]

I love you, thank you. Took away all my anxiety All Doctor's should break information down like this.

[@SportbikeUnitedRiderz]

I've had several years of RFA, I typically get the bilateral 4=4=8 injections on my lower back almost annually and it's been God sent. RFA helps eliminates about 95% of the pain. First couple of times without sedation but I was screaming with pain so opted for being sedated. Thanks for explaining the procedure in this video.

[@fbeigi4]

I did it 10 days ago on the SI joint on my back. Doctor used local freezing. It hurt a little at beginning but I basically felt nothing for the rest of the procedure. I took it easy for last 10 days, only walking daily. The pain is less every day. Today I was almost pain free.

[@samydin3533]

any update plz ?

[@EC-yd9yv]

Hi, checking on your progress?! Hopefully you are still doing well 🙏

[@rrico4445]

Hi. I a problem with my S1 myself. I feel like I got kick by donkey on my back. I’m achy. I am on my fourth epidural steroid. Are you doing more with staying fit and nutrition. If so do you think that is very helpful.

[@monicawilson7432]

I'm having it done next week in rapid city and am scared to death from how much its going to hurt. Do they help sedate you a bit or do nothing? How was your pain after? Did you feel burning? Please I am soooo scared.

[@chloenkitty]

I had the testing done to see if the ablation would work under twilight but I’m tired of paying $500 out-of-pocket every time I go. If I have it done in the office they were just numb the area and I won’t be asleep, if you were not asleep, does it hurt to have it done?

[@Mike-bq7qk]

I have had RFA done for several years now on both sides of my neck after 3 surgeries at 4 levels. Yep, my neck was in bad shape. Before RFA it was facet injections that lasted for about 2.5 months. The left side has lasted 2 years and the right side (problem child) last abouts 11 months before I have to have it done again. The procedure has basically given me my life back and I can not thank my Doctor enough for talking me into switching to RFA.

[@Gracematters103]

Did you have any side effects from neck RFA? That is 'dropped neck' or neck weakness? How was RFA recovery? How was it compared to facet injections? thank you beforehand for answering

[@Kameron232]

The key is to have a GOOD Dr. I had this procedure done in 2013, seemed to help a lot. I moved to another state, and decided to have this procedure done again. Thus Dr didn’t numb me enough and I felt that BURN , like a hot curling iron on open skin. Not again .

[@samydin3533]

do you have to have it every year ? how do you feel now ?

[@lauralutz4538]

I don’t blame you! No compassion! I’m asleep 💤

[@lauralutz4538]

@@samydin3533 Everyone is different.

[@stevehanson1731]

Very well explained! Thank you!

[@johnilijevic4135]

Great video, and informative regarding my upcoming hip rfa. G'day from Australia.

[@frederickdaniels8139]

Fred 27 Aug 21, I had this done on my right knee in March chronic arthritis in my knee since 16 yrs old (affect sleeping, mobility, life) No Pain or problems. Today I had it done for spinal stenosis, & lower right back involving the sciatica. At 8 p.m. no pain, no debilitating sciatica pain, no pain from hip to toes on right side. I will be documenting my next month just for this right side. Considering the left side. The last 10 years have been hell, and narcotics if it holds and gives me back my life. I Thank God, & Dr. Yolinda Kin- Kartimas her great mind and hands.

[@samydin3533]

any update ?

[@timothyj1966]

any update?? I just had this done for EXACLTY what you had. Stenosis and Sciatica pain from hell.... I am a little sore today only been 24 hrs...

[@saulmiranda8988]

@@timothyj1966 and then

[@MysterSer333]

And den

[@MysterSer333]

I really want to know

[@jaynedewindtrussell3917]

Very well explained! Had my 'real ablation' done this am. Wish my Dr had access to show to the rest of her patients. Everything went ok.

[@TammyMartinBLUE]

Mine didn't really talk with me and I am getting answers here there & everywhere except his office where it depends on whom I speak to. He doesn't speak to patients except when he has to.

[@jewelkhan3183]

how are you now??

[@samydin3533]

any update plz?

[@lissiebaguio2250]

That’s exactly the way my doc explained it to me. I’m having the right side done the Monday after next. Thank you

[@spindleblood]

How did it go?

[@its_ari5458]

Hello friend how you doing now

[@Katie-tn4id]

Thank you!

[@betsybriggs6794]

I had this done yesterday. I had one diagnostic that worked great so I was allowed to have the RFA done yesterday. I was completely knocked out which was much better than the first doctor. This was a second opinion and I can't complain. I think I'm a little better but I really feel it will take time. I will try to update this post.

[@nassermansoor7404]

How r u feeling now if I may ask

[@mysteryman123able]

@@nassermansoor7404 no reply we have to take it that it didn't work

[@StevieJayGamez]

How are you doing? Getting this procedure next Thursday.

[@samydin3533]

any update plz ?

[@EC-yd9yv]

Any better

[@susanparker5844]

very helpfull

[@nansie7697]

My memory getting bad, thank you. Had about 8 lumbar against. Dec. 3 got 1. Worried why still bad pain. Now I know because of you. Can take up to 3 weeks for pain to stop going to brain.......xmas is 3 weeks. I will go ahead and make plans

[@cyndieK1]

How are you doing now?

[@nansie7697]

😊 I am VERY pleased with the RFAs I have gotten over 4 years. They last 5-6 months. In between I need epidurals only because my case is so severe. L3-s1. I highly recommend. I stay sedated.

[@bonniesparks6445]

I am considering this on my back. I have thoughts all time what if this happens or that. But I hurt every moment On up n going. Yes I may ask about this the 27 th. Lord I hope these shots work.

[@davidhill3522]

I had my 3rd RFA. The last 2 worked very well. After each separate procedures the pain lasted a good 2 weeks and a half. After that I took it slow and with low impact exercise I was 80% pain free. 6 months pass and the pain began to hit. Just recently I was invited in an auto accident and it feels like everything from my recent and 3rd RFA has been erased. Going to the pain clinic for an assessment next week.

[@nansie7697]

You sound like me. Had 8 done lumbar spine over the years, do wear off 5 months. Ins. Only pay 6 mo. Finally on Dec. 3 got it. Extreme pain level 10 even with narcotics While waiting. Hopefully feeling better for xmas. Not feeling like xmas now

[@tncorgi92]

Things must have changed a little in 3 years. I've got my appointments scheduled; only the first one is for evaluation. Two weeks after that they do the actual RFA procedure. Then a follow-up visit a couple of weeks later. Thanks for posting the video. I've been watching a lot of them on KZbin and the general consensus is that RFA is a good treatment. There's one video out there saying don't get ablation, it doesn't work a lot of the time and the pain is back in 3 months. I guess they're an outlier because no one else says that.

[@ripleypipe]

Thank you for this. After a 'nerve burning' of two lumber facet joints to relieve intermittent sciatica, three weeks later I'm in more pain than before plus the symptoms are omnipresent. I now regret my decision to have the procedure as now I'm in constant pain and whereas before I could play some gentle tennis from time to time...now I cannot play tennis...at all.

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

Agree with you ,I too have far more pain than I was dealing with prior ,which was bad enough . Now since I had both lower sides of my back done - July .I cannot stand being up more than 15 mins at a time .till my back starts tightening up and increases my pain levels to 10 .

[@jacksycz]

My understanding is that some patients that get RFA procedures get relief for only 6 to 12 months I’ve been waiting about 10 years for this and hopefully I will be able to get mine soon.

[@PuffKitty]

that's about how long mine last; the nerve recovers and I do it again (I hope you don't have to wait much longer!)

[@nancypray]

on Oct. 27, 2022, I had radiofrequency Oblation on my right side of my spine. That side was my worse side because I could barely walk, I could not use steps, and I could not get up from a sitting position. So about 2 days later, I had no back pain at all. GONE. However pain was going up and down my right side of my leg. I barely can walk, I am sitting in an elevated chair with ice on the area where the pain is running up and down around and on my knee cap. Now I need to get an MRI to find out why this procedure made my right leg has severe nerve pain.

[@viningscircle]

Thank you for the video. I wish my orthopedic doctor (or his assistants that he have me see instead of actually seeing a qualified physician) would provide just a fraction of important information in explaining this procedure, such as having my MRI on screen to go over just what it is. I am diligently making the rounds on KZbin to get just that! Perhaps I should consult with a spine surgeon even though this is an outpatient procedure. The more I understand my condition and the many options for treating chronic low back pain, the better off I will be.

[@ms79ta]

Did you opt for this surgery? I might have this done soon. My lower back has so much burning sensations it's getting unbearable. I have bulging disc from accident and arthritis.

[@GTOGregory]

I've had the procedure done a couple times on both sides of my neck in the C3-C7 region. Before the actual procedure my pain doctor performs a "test block." I never use anything other than a local anesthetic. In my case the pain increases 10-20% in the day following the procedure, then it decreases. Some discomfort is caused by the local anesthetic as the neck is numb. In my case the overall benefit is marginal, but the procedure is used between regular nerve pain medicine injections. Unfortunately, Medicare and insurance companies only pay for about two of the pain medicine injections per year. Thus, other treatments must supplement the pain alleviation process.

[@samydin3533]

how do you feel now ?

[@saltlifegull4091]

Awesome video! I had the initial trial RFA on both knees, felt better for three hours, then have had an entire month of the worst pain in my life and unable to walk without crutches! WTH Seriously??

[@spindleblood]

If MBB (trial injections) worked for you, why didn't they proceed with the actual RFA procedure?

[@user-bh1xw7iv3g]

I had this procedure yesterday for my knee but it was RAF straightaway. General Anastasia and when i woke up it was done. It’s still hurts. An extreme pressure inside somewhere in the knee but can locate it it hurts the needle areas yes. But my doctor didn’t do any injection to locate the nerves causing pain.

[@BW12149]

I’m going to have the full set of procedures again this week. My doctor prefers sedation because it keeps the patient still and not moving around or squirming. My first time doing this a few years ago, I got about 18 months relief. But I have more serious problems with L1 to L4, so he will do a lot more injections and ablations

[@jackattack9799]

any update?

[@sarjitkaur615]

I had mine done today. L5 n S1. I hope i will be relieved from the daily pain that i was experiencing earlier.

[@user-sd3zw1gz3y]

How are you now? Please update as I'm having same problem L5 S1

[@cassiecfultz]

How are you feeling now?

[@littletime100]

Getting ready to have this done. Is this the same as a nerve block? I was told when I had a hip replacement to never get another nerve block. Not sur why though. It was right many years ago so can't remember,just know he said that.

[@StayPositive-sd8op]

Is this the pain box thats inseted under the skin or a nerve block.

[@roshanchetry6900]

Do cooled RFA itself causes ionizing radiation exposure

[@JRJStacks]

Is it ok to be on pain pills for the rest of my life? If not I am getting this.

[@boatrvme8478]

Having procedure tomorrow.

[@samydin3533]

update plz?

[@e.kevinsteinhauser2421]

Radiation not even mentioned, although a dose will be incurred equal to 4/5 years background.

[@michaelpaul5682]

Did you get this?

[@noveast7509]

Why am i feeling severe muscle spasms on the same side i had the procrdure in Dec 2023

[@varunvadhera998]

Hello mam meri pain 5 months later hai ap mujhe suggest kar sakte ho mai kya kru....

[@georgeedwarddebattista1163]

I had radio frequency ablation on 9th march 2019 under LA with LEVOBUPIVACAINE, LIDOCAINE and KENALOG it was S1rootblock pulse. but it has not worked for me as im still in heaps of pain with sciatica. I was told when I had it done that I would have 1 years relief. prety soon im hoping to have an epidural injection hope it will work.

[@jackattack9799]

any update?

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

Had this done on both sides of lower back ,painful ist time it was done on left side . Right side was far more painful on 2nd ablation . On august 3- 4 something popped on my lower back close to the spine . which was extremely painful ,can't get any of my Drs to do anything about this added new pain I am in .they just blow me off and do nothing . Very frustrated at this point and yes ,I knew it would painful .But not to the point that I cannot stand being up more than 15 minutes at a time .

[@jackattack9799]

any update?

[@deloresmitchell8387]

Will RFA in my shoulder affect my heart pacemaker that is place on the upper left part of my shoulder?

[@mssplivinggatesforum1889]

Did you ask your doctor Dolores?

[@mjp5318]

What does people say when the nerves start to regen and heal ? What do people experience ? I cannot find anyone who can tell me. Its been a month for me, and all my major pain has returned and the nerve pain in my back and now my legs is excruciating again. Its to the point to where I cannot feel my legs because they have gone numb to the touch, but the nerves in my legs feel like some on has cut my legs off at the thighs.

[@missyroberts6992]

Sounds like Meralgia pareparenthetica. I have it in both legs, especially after gaining weight when my back got bad. A steroid injection into the area from the front really helped.

[@DracapellaDeetz]

I'm having this done next month but am being given propofol so won't be awake for the ablation to my knowledge.

[@jackattack9799]

any updates?

[@carlogarcia209]

For this work for herniated disk?

[@claudb1029]

I had ablation done yesterday. Two sides lower spine. Sadly, like most medicine today, the patient is caught between, the insurance company, the doctor and attorneys. There you sit in a hospital gown you don't have your glasses and are presented with a bunch of small print forms and are told to sign them. Pain on a scale of 1-10? Huh? You can actually die from pain. Is that a 10? I was taught as far as pain to suck it up. Heck as a kid you would go to the dentist and they would drill will a slow speed drill and no Novocain. I was given anesthesia. Frankly, I was going to get it done without anesthesia. A friend and my wife said, it is covered get it. First side was done with partial anesthesia, with doctor talking to you. Second side they increased the anesthesia and I was fast asleep. Hope he didn't ask me any questions then-you never know what you might say. I think they not only gave me ablation but steroids. What worked? Something is missing-the pain in my back-it is like it has been rounded off. I will be happy of this holds.

[@cyndieK1]

How is it holding up?

[@ellenkivler6795]

Why did mine only last 3 months. This never happened before. I always got a year or more

[@LadyBlanche.888]

I had an rfa done at the weekend..I am still getting some pain all the way down my right leg..I'm scared it's failed but it's only been 2 days since it was done..I live alone so I have to do most chores by myself including bending to feed my 2 cats and remove their litter. Even at rest I can feel the hum of the pain. Is this normal? This is my first rfa but my doctor only did one diagnostic test. I'm so afraid the big pain returns -mine was on my right leg all the way down and my lower back.. Can you tell me if this is normal??

[@jackattack9799]

any updates?

[@bluewaves3]

I don't live in your area, but I have had yearly ablations on L3/L4 and L4/L5 levels. I don't really understand why the 4th day of recovery is so difficult. I know I have so many more days of pain ahead of me. I feel as if I was shot by an arrow in my hip. I k now this comes and goes so I am waiting for it to go. Why does this cause so much pain to heal from? This year may be the last year I go through it. It does help with pain throughout the rest of the year, but this is so awful to heal from. ( This is my 4th or 5th year of doing this)

[@Gracematters103]

It sounds like the post RFA recovery is not easy, and how long it took for you to feel the pain relief from RFA?

[@jackattack9799]

any updates?

[@stargazingone2482]

Saw my pain dr last week.. he told me about this...however he told me that he gives a mild sedation I have to ask him about this cause i noticed watching videos on this dr needs to comminucate with you esp i you feel it in your legs

[@kathryngolick7356]

I had it done in my lumbar spine

[@jackattack9799]

did it work?

[@pamelacassise9069]

I had my procedure 3 days ago. My pain was gone within hours. Now 3 days later it is all back and exactly like before. They told me that it takes around 2 weeks to work but should it all come back identical to what I felt before. I feel that there is no hope today because I can barely walk again. I had a procedure 6 months ago done in 2 stages that worked great and this one was done all at once and much more painful. Was this the 3rd stage? Will it get better?

[@jackattack9799]

any update?

[@JahidAfridiJr.-np7uy]

I got The Second RFA procedure yesterday im on Morphine sulfate 15Mgs Extended Release twice a day Gabapentine 800mgs Baclofen 10mgs Depakote 1'000 2 x a day Xanax 2mgs 1 time a day

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

That's a lot of major drugs ,be very careful.can't believe you are being so heavily over dosed

[@jackattack9799]

did it work ?

[@cabrito1cabral]

Can this procedure help a person who has sciatica?

[@TammyMartinBLUE]

Hey, I have had GREAT results for my sciatica @ physical therapy. They are doing special massage and dry needling. 14 years of pills & patches and I finally have relief! But yes I had disc replacement 15 years ago & that worked well but I am fed up with being drugged & blown off until next month when they get paid to waste time. Good luck!

[@StayPositive-sd8op]

Where are you located

[@chloenkitty]

Will I feel anything if I just get this done in the doctors office and don’t go to the surgery center and be put under twilight?

[@uramalakia]

If the doctor doing it knows what they're doing, they'll give you a local anesthetic injection first, that will numb the area the procedure is done in. After that there shouldn't be much pain.

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

Yes ,you will

[@kathryngolick7356]

I need sedation

[@mcf3615]

I had Radio frequency ablation on L4/S1 on 11/30/2021. I was relatively pain free (level 2). On12/17/2021, the pain increased to a level 5. The pain increased a little each day. Today, 12/30/2021, it has since increased to 9. I am concerned and scared. Is this normal? I have a follow up appointment next week with the doctor who did the ablation.

[@cloudypac]

Any updates?

[@saulmiranda8988]

Update

[@iLLWiLLx21]

I hate when people come on here looking for comfort but when others need it from them they don’t respond

[@davidshane9495]

Hope everyone has money or GOOD insurance. I'm 34 and it's gonna cost you upwards of 3k to get this (with insurance). Pain clinics don't care about you.

[@golden_boi7361]

What they are not telling you is this: PAIN like you have never felt before! More pain than I have ever felt in my life. 10 minutes of pure hell. Let them knock you out.

[@jackattack9799]

how long do they last for you ? and how much pain releif do you get?

[@RichardFallstich]

Not clear if this about cardiac RFA or liver cancer RFA.......

[@jennzifur]

Neither. She specifically mentions the spine.

[@TammyMartinBLUE]

Yes it's spinal

[@jenfreycurtis9106]

That’s the problem I have with my doctor doesn’t believe it. Until I really pushed it now she’s sending me to an MRI after 20 years

[@user-mr7ij3bz3z]

It worked for me

[@tacticaloutdoors7553]

Dang man.... I've been dealing with back pain and went to a specialist who wanted me to do therapy I went and got a second opinion it was the first thing they suggested we try. Going for a block shot this afternoon hopefully it is effective and can get the procedure.

[@doyouevennaturebro4593]

@@tacticaloutdoors7553 How did it go?

[@timmy7551]

I had the same problem with my primary doctor. She told me for 5 years it was my weight and I'm not THAT heavy. She finally ordered an MRI and I took it to a Pain Center and I'm having my radio frequency thing done in a couple of weeks.

[@samydin3533]

@@user-mr7ij3bz3z how do you feel now ? any update plz

[@lauralutz4538]

I’ll tell you how the procedure goes. I’m knocked out with Propofol.

[@jackattack9799]

how much pain releif do you get from it? and how long dose it last?

[@mysteryman123able]

Tried acupuncture did nothing tried the steroid did nothing.. Tried the prolotherapy did nothing...this is next.........

[@CRFSUIGENERIS]

Me too. I’m trying Botox now, but I can still feel some pain. Hoping the ablation works. Crossing my fingers for you!

[@faithf5846]

PRP works for a little longer then prolo. I’m also wanted to try the ablation. Also looking into peptide therapy