This weekend has been all about Ray as we went to Margate Sunday (yes Sunday) for his back operation. We entered an empty day centre and our feet echoed down the corridors. We followed the signs to upstairs and found the ward. Reception was closed with no one around. We could hear voices so we walked until we found the owners and came across the nurses.
We were greeted and Rays name was up on the board so we knew it was all going to happen. It was 8am and the doctor came in at 10am. Another couple had been booked in so we did, at least, have someone to talk to. There were eventually 4 patients and another 6 were coming in for the afternoon. This was all being carried out as private patients. I did wonder how much this was costing the NHS.
Radiofrequency denervation is a treatment that uses heat to deactivate the nerves around your facet joints that are causing your pain. These nerves are called medial branch nerves and send pain signals to your brain if you’ve got inflammation in your facet joints.
Your doctor will use radiofrequency waves (a form of electricity) to heat the tip of a needle which is used to destroy the nerve endings. This aims to stop the nerves sending pain signals to your brain.
The other man went down first and last it was Rays turn. Here is Rays version of events:
Sunday, Early afternoon and I am back home. I’ve had my back op at last. The procedure was called Radio Frequency Deneration. That just means burning the nerves in my spine to kill the Pain.
The whole thing lasted just an hour. I was told it was painless. That was ONE FRIGING LIE.
It involved 6 Injections, 3 each side of my Spine to numb it. Not very effective, next comes the special Radio needles. They are inserted 3 each side. These are then connected to a radio Frequency Machine. They are guided in by x-rays to ensure correct positioning. Some chemical is pumped into each needle and it is switched on for a count of one minute. The needle is heated up to 85c and it vibrates the pain was agony.
The Nurse at my head holding my hands and talking to me was asking me questions. Tell me what you can feel he kept asking. I could only at best reply through gritted teeth and loud agonised screams of pain. He was saying you’re doing fine if you can feel the pain we are at the right spot. I felt so embarrassed.
When the left side was done I was shaking all over. OK that’s half done he said. Oh shit, I thought it was all over. I remember saying “Oh No not more” but next came “Are you OK Raymond is it OK to continue”. Yes I grunted.
It was so uncomfortable laying on my belly with nurses wiping my Bum with antiseptic. The pain from before was repeated with the next 3 needles. Then I was left for what seemed ages. At last it was over. Then came “OK on my command we want you to Roll over onto the Trolly. We are all ready to Catch you. YES?”
After a journey to the recovery room and promise of a cuppa it was over. All in all we got there at 8 am and where discharged at 1:30. Its not something I want to repeat anytime soon. Does it work? WTS”
Bless him he has been improving and I have made him rest.
He strides around, he is upright and moving with ease and his face looks so much better and beams with a huge smile.
This has worked and worked well. He goes over speed bumps and it doesn’t hurt. How brilliant!!!
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