Nerve ablation on Shoulder

August 17, 2023 10:28 PM

I've has miserable shoulder pain for months after herniating two cervical discs. On Monday I'll have a nerve ablation on my shoulder. I'll be sedated and they said I could take anti-anxiety medicine beforehand. I'm scared but hopeful. I know they're popular for hysterectomies and heart procedures, but i'd love to hear from anyone who's had them on shoulder or similar. I want to know what your recovery was like and what helped the most. YANMD.
posted by mermaidcafe to Health & Fitness (2 answers total)

Best answer: My husband has had two nerve ablations in his back, both times as an outpatient procedure at a surgical center. He's an anxious patient and got a valium beforehand for the first one, but decided he didn't need it for the second. He was awake for both procedures, with local anesthetic. He said the pain relief was immediate in both cases and there really wasn't any recovery to speak of - I remember him taking it easy for the rest of the day, but not much else in the way of needing care or support. The first time he was pain-free for about a year; the second one only lasted about nine months.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:48 AM on August 18, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks! That helps to hear.
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:04 AM on August 19, 2023