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Getting in the room

Good morning all,

I just got invited to attend a procedure this week. My wife will be having an RFA: radio frequency ablation. Our physiatrist-a great guy who really believes in bodywork, has invited me to watch the procedure. I get to wear a lead apron! I will report on this at the end of the week.

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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on June 10, 2010 at 2:52pm

Hello everyone,
I just got back from the surgery center and I'l do my best to describe what I saw. My wife's diagnosis is facet syndrome and spondylethesis.
After we checked in, I was shown the locker room and put on some scrubs, a hat, and shoe covers. I was then given a nice lead gown and throat piece. Wow, now I know why nurses complain of back pain, standing there in over 15 pounds of lead is no picnic. Next, my wife was wheeled into the room and the anesthesiologist: her "medical bartender," talked about what he would use to make her sleepy and comfortable. The physiatrist and four nurses were also in the room and after getting my wife on the table in prone, they prepped her back with hibiclenz. The floroscope went on and I could see her lumbar spine in two big screen. After giving her some meds, the doc explained the procedure.
A small hole is made with a needle, injected with Marcaine and then the cannula is put in. It looked like a big acupuncture needle. After it was inserted, the sensory and motor nerves were tested, I could see her multifidus fire. Then the probe was turned on and the nerve burned for about 80-90 seconds. My wife did mention that it hurt some, more achy like the pain she had recently. Then the procedure was repeated at three more spots. It took about an hour or so.
I was impressed by the doctor's precision and skill. He spent time making sure he had the right segment, spot and nerve. I also had a good time talking with the nurses and anesthesiologist. They were very friendly and impressed that I wanted to see the procedure. I really felt like the "medical professional" that I am. I was amazed at the amount of equipment in the room and even though everything was monitored, all the people were quite relaxed-we even talked about gardening! After some time in the recovery area, we were released and my wife is at home on ice. She will be a bit flared up for about five days, but then the pain subsides for a time-last procedure was about 12 months ago.
We used to have these done in San Francisco by a well-known doctor. We had some problems and changed to a local doctor, we are very pleased and I am grateful for the opportunity to attend a procedure like this one.
Hope this was helpful and worth reading.
Cheers,
Jody