Off to the back specialist tomorrow

[antelopedundee]

My google doctoring shows rf abalation as a type of surgery. You might ask what is your issue.

Herniation isn’t as bad as it sounds. I had surgery 14 years ago. (I had a second surgery 5 years later thinking I was Superman but that’s a Bryan being stupid moment.)

I’m 98% now. I don’t pick up anything heavy from the ground but I’m otherwise ok. My physical limitations aren’t from my back. I can pack out elk hinds without back issues.

I guess it's what you would call minimally invasive. It may or may not work, and if it does it's usually short term and can bring diminishing results over time. I will be seeing my neurologist tomorrow and my pain doc's assistant on Wednesday so I will ask their opinion. I also have serious balance issues.

 

[antelopedundee]

I guess it's what you would call minimally invasive. It may or may not work, and if it does it's usually short term and can bring diminishing results over time. I will be seeing my neurologist tomorrow and my pain doc's assistant on Wednesday so I will ask their opinion. I also have serious balance issues.

I have suggested to a couple folks that maybe they should run a MRI with 3D imaging on the area where I seem to have the most issues, but they say it isn't warranted.

 

[Outlaw99]

I have suggested to a couple folks that maybe they should run a MRI with 3D imaging on the area where I seem to have the most issues, but they say it isn't warranted.

Curious as to how you ended up? I’ve got a mess in my lower back. L5 is gone, L4 is 50% gone. Pars defect, arthritis, and I’m only 44. Been through 4 ablations in the last year, I don’t know how many injections under the xray machine, 3 rounds of PT, and a pile of pills. Dr. Says I’m too young for surgery. Eliminating carbs and losing weight seems to help with the inflammation but it sure has been a long road being poked and prodded the last few years.

 

[antelopedundee]

Curious as to how you ended up? I’ve got a mess in my lower back. L5 is gone, L4 is 50% gone. Pars defect, arthritis, and I’m only 44. Been through 4 ablations in the last year, I don’t know how many injections under the xray machine, 3 rounds of PT, and a pile of pills. Dr. Says I’m too young for surgery. Eliminating carbs and losing weight seems to help with the inflammation but it sure has been a long road being poked and prodded the last few years.

Well it turns out that I'm not a good candidate for RF ablation. Thanks to my wonderful lady endocrinologist doc [I call her my PCP there] I got a 3D MRI of the hips and pelvis at Mayo. Apparently, it didn't show what I was hoping it would show. IMO there are 2 things going on. Lately the pain doesn't seem as bad, Still I'm very physically limited in what I can do. I can't walk very far without assistance [like a shopping cart] before my muscles tighten up and pretty much slow me to a crawl. I couldn't do even a smidgen of the walking I'd need or want to do if I was goat hunting. I also have foot drop and balance issues. After clearing snow with some shoveling, I feel like I can't go another step. I guess my last great hope is something called SPRINT pns. If the 1 week trial gives good results then it's kept in place for 2 months and then it's removed. Supposed to last through the rest of your days. I'm not optimistic about it tho.

Google Search

 

[Outlaw99]

I hope it works and finally gives you some relief