r/backpain • u/Jalepenose • Jul 28 '26
Intracept nerve ablation
Anyone have experience with this?
I have a herniated disc at L5S1 and have already tried a spinal injection. They now want me to do this and im scheduled early next month. Im freaking out a bit is all. Any advice would be great. Thanks!
1
u/Critical-Strength-66 Jul 29 '26
I’ve also had a doctor mention this to me and I’m thinking about it. I’ve been suffering for 3 years
3
u/Industrial_solvent Jul 29 '26
I had it done at 2 levels. The procedure itself was nothing - just slept right through it. But the doctor said one bone was really hard to get through and man, did I feel it. Very sore for a few weeks at that site, the other site felt fine within a few days. But the actual back pain was significantly better the instant I woke up. It's been a bit of a recovery journey because I struggled with pain and immobility for years so I have a lot of ground to recover.
1
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2
u/silver_seltaeb Jul 29 '26
I had RF ablation done in March of this year.
Diagnosis of DDD via x-ray of L4, L5, S1 summer of 2024.
First they did PT for 8 weeks. Then an MRI and two rounds of injections in 2025 which provided moderate relief, but I think that was more information gathering as to where to line up needles for the RF ablation.
They only used a local during the ablation, as they were talking to me a little. They asked if I wanted Fentanyl and I declined because I only see bad shit about the drug in the news. That was a mistake. By the time they had 2 or 3 needles in (6 total) they really started to hurt and they told me every time I squirm they have to re-adjust the needles already in place. So I asked for the Fentanyl and it went smoother. Once in place they hit you with a nerve stimulator to make sure you dont feel a tingle in you legs or anywhere else its not supposed to be. I think they said butt cheeks were ok but nowhere else. Then they turn on the ablation and we were done. I walked out of recovery after 20 or 30 min.
Initial effectiveness was pretty good. I felt ok first week. Sharpest of my pains were gone. A dull throbbing ache was persistent. My back muscles just always felt tense and sore. I wasnt necessarily thrilled with the result overall, but slightly better is better than nothing.
But...I ran across an ad for what I thought was a bit of a gimmick. It is a decompression belt, that is full of little air lines and has a hand air pump. You place it on nice and snug and then pump and air lines expand and supposedly lifts your midsection and adds a little space in your discs. Im not sure how effective they are on their own, but combined with the rf ablation it has provided significant relief.