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What Causes Tenderness And Pain On Lower Back After Doing Radiofrequency Procedure?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Feb 2015
Question: I had a radiofrequency procedure done on my lower back. On the left side and on the right. The left side is fine. The right side is painful and tender. I cannot touch the are where the needles were inserted. It is painful and tender to touch. The outside of my right thigh and buttocks are also tender and painful to touch. I had this procedure done over two weeks ago. Can you tell me what my problem is? Did the procedure go wrong or is this a symptom. I also get some tingling. I thought the nerves would be dead. Any thoughts on this would be so appreciated. To me 2 1/2 weeks is too long. Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Common after such a procedure ma'am, nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Based on the elaborate information provided (which I would like to thank you for) I can say with almost complete surety (~90 %) that this is just from the procedure and is not really considered a side effect but more of an accompanying effect of the procedure.

From my experience on the subject this presentation can last for almost a month and in a few patients even longer. Although some individuals do not wish to tolerate the effects and seek help from their physician to help suppress the symptoms, but I would not really say that it is required and that in time you should be fine.

Ice packs or mildly cold water showers (as tolerated) can help to promote early and rapid recovery.

I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Thanks for getting back to me. I guess I am just paranoid that I will I have this pain and this tender sensation the rest of my life. Its funny that the look left side is OK,but the right is driving me crazy. Is it normal to have this tingling even though I had the nerves burnt over 2 weeks ago? Thanks in advance for your help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please do not worry at all ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

You are most welcome.

Yes it is indeed normal, and although the pain usually lasts about 2-3 weeks in most individuals it can last for a while longer in a few. Do not panic, and I am sure you will be fine soon.

Blood vessels are an important part of our body and when we have to for some reason or the other have them removed or ablated, etc; they can cause some amount of pain or tenderness for a while. You need to give your body some time to heal and rejuvenate. You have been strong for so long now, please endure for a while longer and you shall be back to normal and hopefully even better.

Please do not forget, I am always here to help you, guide you and answer any queries you have, so please do not hesitate to write to me anytime.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (51 minutes later)
Thanks again! You are. making me feel more positive about this. I do have severe disc degeneration. Someone told me that it could be my bluging disc pressing on my nerve. I thought that did not make sense because my nerves were burnt around there. Am I right on that assumption? I take it that if blood vessels were damaged, they will heal. I am sitting now with ice packs on my lower back where needles were inserted and also have ice pack on my thigh. Thanks!,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Interesting theory, but somehow unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

I am glad I could be of assistance.

It is indeed an interesting theory, the one about the bulging disc. But in my opinion unlikely, yet still worth looking up if your symptoms do not reduce soon. But for now, I am with you on your assumption.

I wish you truck loads of luck, and please do feel free to write to me anytime. I am here for you always.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (13 minutes later)
Hi again. The bulging disc pain wasn't there before the radio frequency. All the pain came afterwards. I would have thought that pain would have been there before-not after. If blood vessels were damaged is there a test to see or will they heal in time. Thanks again for being patient with me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Don't you think we should rule this out?

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am.

You can undergo a more specific investigation like an ultrasound examination to look for the blood vessels in the region spoken about. An MRI to look into blood vessels and the bulging disc in the affected region.

The disc pain could have been aggravated after the procedure, but we cannot be sure about the same which is why I have recommend the above investigations just so we know we are right about what we are suspecting or to completely rule it out.

As I had mentioned earlier, I am always here to help ma'am.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (7 minutes later)
In your opinion should I just wait awhile as you mentioned that it can take time and not to worry or should I get those tests done. I value your opinion

P.s. wouldn't that nerve be dead in the bulging disc?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you so much for your kind words

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

I would recommend waiting a while longer ma'am, as healing itself can take time. As mentioned by you, it has been 2 weeks since the procedure. And in my opinion it can take anywhere from a few days to 4 weeks for complete healing. So try to wait till 4 weeks from the procedure, but if at all you cannot tolerate the pain for that long then please do report to your doctor for the investigations.

I hope this helps ma'am. I am glad you value my opinion and feel honoured. I hope you know by now that I am always here for you, anytime and no matter what the query/issue.

Best of luck ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (46 minutes later)
Thanks again! I will wait four weeks in hopes that this pain and sensation go away. would that nerve be dead in bulging disc? On another note, I had inflammation of esophagus a few months back. I was on omeprazole 20mg and ranitidine 300mg. It seemed to have cleared up. I do have heartburn from time to time but I am not nauseous. I do have a slight pain behind my breast and on my back spine f rom time to time, but I dont think that is anything in relation to esophagitis. I am still taking ranitidine every day and omeprazole once in awhile. Does it sound to you that the esophagitis went away? Its hard to tell. I dont want another endoscopy. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Difficult to say; no it could still be present

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

I am unaware of the exact details of the procedure and so I cannot really comment on whether or not the nerve around the bulging disc would be dead or not. But if you do provide me with information of the procedure, location, etc; I would be more than happy to help you. Along with this I would also appreciate information on the bulging disc as well like location, investigative reports, etc.

As for the esophagitis, it does not seem like the condition has settled. Although, I would like to mention that your symptoms could be related to other gastrointestinal abnormalities as well (e.g. peptic ulcer disease), and it could be possible that the esophagitis has settled but another condition is causing your symptoms.

It is also worth mentioning that some of your symptoms do not match esophagitis completely. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (33 minutes later)
Hi. i had an endoscopy done in August and it showed i had esophagitis and a little gastritis. I dont have pain along breastbone. I was in hope that it went away. Just have heartburn from time to time. i do get s strange taste in my mouth on e in awhile, but that may be from electronic cigarettes since I quit smoking.
I had mri on my lower back a few months back. I have degenerative disc disease with diffuse circumferential bulging disc. Left lateral disk protrusion on left L1 nerve root. Also left lateral disk protrusion at l4-5. I am one big mess--right? I went to Pain mgt. He gave me a set of epidural shots in my low back and right they seemed to help. Then I had the radiofrequency and that is when. my pain and sensation started on my right lower back and thigh. Thanks for listening! !

I was blaming sharp pains on my back as muscle spasms
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes the nerves there could be ablated; suspecting other GIT condition

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

My sincere apologies for the delay, I had an extremely busy day at work as it was the end of the week and surgeries had really piled up.

Thank you so much for that information. No, I may seem like more of a mess than you shall ever be. :)

Yes, based on the information provided the nerves in the region may be dead.

As for your gastric symptoms, some of them can resemble esophagitis, but a few others can be related to symptoms like gastritis or even a peptic ulcer disease, so I would recommend a more elaborate evaluation as the medications you are on may not suffice to treat the other conditions.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (46 minutes later)
Thanks for your info. I agree in that the nerves should be dead. That is why I can't understand while I get tingling feeling especially. when i sit. Do you? I have been icing my back and thigh in hopes that will speed things along and it does heal. Thanks for your information. You have been really helpful
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Yes, I too agree that those nerves should be dead. But as the procedure was conducted to kill those nerves, the body needs to get used to their absence and the very symptom of tingling is a sign of nerve injury or weakness.

This could simply be the body trying to tell us that there are nerves in that area that are either injured or even on the brink of death, which is the truth as we worked towards destroying them. It may take the body some time to realise that the nerves are no longer there, and thus giving it 2-4 weeks for this realisation in my opinion would suffice.

Yes ma'am, icing it and a cold compress should hopefully speed up the process.I am glad I could be of assistance, you shall always be on my mind and so if at all you have anything troubling you (hopefully never so), please write to me and I shall be at your service.

My best wishes.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Tenderness And Pain On Lower Back After Doing Radiofrequency Procedure?

Brief Answer: Common after such a procedure ma'am, nothing to worry Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Based on the elaborate information provided (which I would like to thank you for) I can say with almost complete surety (~90 %) that this is just from the procedure and is not really considered a side effect but more of an accompanying effect of the procedure. From my experience on the subject this presentation can last for almost a month and in a few patients even longer. Although some individuals do not wish to tolerate the effects and seek help from their physician to help suppress the symptoms, but I would not really say that it is required and that in time you should be fine. Ice packs or mildly cold water showers (as tolerated) can help to promote early and rapid recovery. I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help. Best wishes.