Loading ...So, an ortho would probably try a radio frequency ablation first, where he goes in and burns the nerves around the facet joint. I’ve had that done a few times, it’s similar to getting epidurals in your back, maybe a little more painful. It may or may not help you. The nerves will grow back in 6-12 months, so you’d need it done again if it worked.
Everyone has medical advice, whether they’ve had the problem or not. I don’t know hips, other than my dad had his replaced in his late 70’s without issue. After four surgeries, I do know backs, the first being a fusion that destabilized the vertebrae above and I’ve never been the same. My recent surgery fused all my lumbar spine L1 down to S1. This time I used a neurosurgeon instead of an ortho, and I think he may have fixed the earlier mess. I won’t be sure for a couple more months. I was in constant pain, I’d get weakness in my thigh and have been numb below my knee. I had fallen a few times – it felt like my leg wasn’t there. For the first time in 7 years, I’ve been able to stand in one place and walk without nerve pain running through my hip.
The surgeon really makes a difference.