[berry]

William,

I am sorry your disc replacement has not relieved your pain, I know you did much reserach before undergoing the surgery and it must be devastating to undergo the operation and it to have no effect. I got three plus years great relief but I have gone on to develop further DDD at the three levels above my prostheses and facet arthrosis at the level of my ProDiscs. I, too, got relief from facet injections. I was offered radio frequency nerve ablation last year as the next step in providing longer relief, but when I researched the procedure, I was put off as some research seems to suggest that when the pain returns it can be worse. When I discussed this with my surgeon he agreed that sometimes ablation can cause neuroma and we/I decided not to persue the ablation at this moment in time. This sort of fits in with your idea that the ablation doesn't treat the cause and when the nerves grow back the pain may be worse...could it be due to progression of degeneration?? The treatment can be repeated though. If I can find the article I will forward it to you.
Saying that there are members here who have significant relief following ablation.

As Charles has said, finding the pain generator can be very difficult and the spine truly is complex.

Please let us know how you get on William, I have not ruled out ablation, I'm just not ready for it yet as I'm unsure.

Best wishes

Lynda