My Question Is Did The RFA Cause Me Not To Walk, Did They Do Damage To The Wrong Nerve I Am So Said I Walked Before The Procedure And Now I Cannot How?

Posted on Wed, 22 Aug 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 Answered on

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation. I elected not to be put to sleep. The whole procedure was like 5 mph my last round of 4 needles put on my left side. the first minute and half was the 5 mph and then they stopped. The second minute and half started at 100 mph I shook on the table and i was going to tell them to stop and just then it went back to 5 mph and the Dr. said you have one minute 15 seconds. Now I can not walk, I just had a hip replacement on the left I never had a problem with my hip. The Dr. that did my hip said the bone in my hip was dead no blood to it and also it was shattered. My question is did the RFA cause me not to walk, did they do damage to the wrong nerve I am so said I walked before the procedure and now I cannot.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to nerve related cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The radiofrequency procedure can affect the nerves but that depends the region in which the ablation was done. If the hip bone has no blood circulation then it itself is a strong enough reason for inability to walk. It is best to consult a neurologist and get the nerve related cause ruled out. Absence of blood supply is not related to radiofrequency procedure.

Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Thank you, I do have an appointment with a neurologist october 08 2018. I also now have frequent leaks and can not hold urine. At night I can go as many times as 10. Never did I do this before this RFA I fell 4 feet down on a cinder block and broke my back L 2 L 3 L 4 they healed the surgeon who sent me for R F A never spotted that my L 4 L 5 are pushing on a nerve, I got this from 2nd 3rd opinion all pain was on my right butt area. Now i am concerned not only the fact that I can not walk but kidney/ bladder problems. This R F A was not good and I know a mistake was made when it was turned up to high and jolted me. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Leakage is related to nerve compression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Frequent leaks of urine is a nerve compression related problem. You can start with methylcobalamin supplements and see if it helps.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar