Imagine you have pain in an area of your body; it could be your neck, back, or another part. But no matter what you do, the pain remains there! Chronic pain can be really challenging to deal with. With today’s advancements, though, there are many treatments to get rid of it. One of these treatments includes nerve ablation, a common procedure used to stop pain signals. So, what happens if nerve ablation doesn’t work? Keep reading to learn!
What is Nerve Ablation?
Nerve ablation, in simple terms, is a procedure that targets the nerves in the area of pain and destroys them. By destroying the nerves, this procedure helps reduce or even stop the pain signals. This way, you can have some relief from the chronic pain that has been bothering you. Generally, nerve ablation is used to alleviate chronic low back pain, neck pain, etc., when other methods have proven to be ineffective.
How Long Nerve Ablation Takes
Usually, the nerve ablation procedure takes an hour or less, but it can take longer. The time this process takes depends on where you require nerve ablation as well as the number of nerves that need to be removed or destroyed. As for pain relief, it is not always effective right away. Therefore, it might take as long as two to three weeks for the pain to go away! So, if you still have pain after nerve ablation, it could be normal!
What to Do If Nerve Ablation Doesn’t Work
It is possible that nerve ablation does not work for you. In that case, you can go for alternative treatments, such as:
- Epidural Steroid Injection: You can get rid of lower back pain and leg pain with the help of epidural steroid injections. In this procedure, a steroid medication is injected into the epidural region around the nerve roots, with the aim to improve mobility and control pain. The doctor will guide the needle to inject it into the right area with the help of an X-ray machine.
- Facet Joint Injection: Another popular treatment you can go for if nerve ablation does not work is facet joint injection! This involves injecting a steroid injection into the facet joints of your lumbar spine. It will only take a few minutes, and you will not even feel any pain during the procedure. However, you might need a few injections over a few weeks to around six months.
How Many Times Can You Have Radiofrequency Ablation?
You can have radiofrequency ablation every 6 months to 1 year if needed. Otherwise, it is effective after just one treatment!
What’s Next?
The nerve ablation procedure damages the nerves in the area that is causing pain, which helps if you have chronic pain that does not go away with another treatment. In case the nerve ablation does not work for you, you can opt for an alternate procedure, such as facet joint injections or epidural steroid injections.
At Genesis Pain Clinic, we offer effective procedures that will reduce your pain and make you feel okay again. Dial (913) 871-9888 to talk to us now or give us a visit at 6700 W 121st St, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66209.