HomeAnswersGeneral PractitionerprfShould I get PRF for whiplash injury to C2 to C7?

Should I get PRF for whiplash injury to C2 to C7?

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Published At July 13, 2018
Reviewed AtJune 30, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have received whiplash from a motor vehicle accident a year back and over the past year have had regular physio, pain medication, facet joint injections and now have been recommended to have C2 to C7 pulsed radio-frequency neurotomies (PRF) L and R as I still have severe neck and back pain and migraines. I am just looking for a second opinion on the procedure and any advice or recommendations on whether to go ahead from any experience you may have or have heard about, as it is hard to get long-term results where we live. I am female, 33 years, 127 pounds. Currently, I am taking Temgesic 216 micrograms and Buprenorphine hydrochloride twice daily.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Answer the following questions: How bad is your pain on a scale of 1 to 10? Can you please upload your MRI films and report so that I can go through it? What is your job? Is it like a sitting job or high demand activities? Do you get constant pain or pain only on activities? Kindly answer these questions and follow up as I need some more details to give an accurate advice. Thank you and take care. Regards.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

My pain is between 5 to 9. Most days start at 6 and go to 8. I have had to quit my job for more than seven years due to the pain. I was a manager. Mostly sitting, the meetings were the most painful nodding my head ready escalated the pain. About one day a week I will have low pain 2 to 4 and started to get migraines about once a week as well. I walk a lot (slow walking) as it tends to help. I do not have my MRI but the doctor report said, a slight bulge on C5, C6 without any convincing signal enhancement and MRI shows a non-enhancing disc bulge at L to S1 and in the L4 and L5 disc. There is a hint of a left-sided lateral tear in the disc without any bulge. Normal facet joints. My concern with the procedure the doctor is recommending is any long-term side effects as I am only 33. The last thing I want is more problems with my neck.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The PRF (platelet rich fibrin) may only give you about 50 to 60 percent pain relief about 4 to 6 months after the procedure. There are not many long-term results available for this procedure. This procedure can cause sometimes long-term side effects like permanent nerve pain and worsen in the area of treatment, but these are rare complications. Otherwise, this appears to be a procedure worth a try if you have exhausted all treatment modalities and still have pain. Thank you and take care. Regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply. I just had a couple more questions, after a really bad night of neck pain or bad few days I always get a migraine. Could this procedure help my migraines? I never had a migraine or a bad headache before this accident. How long have the doctors been doing this procedure? I guess I am a bit scared as when I was a child I had stomach and esophagus surgeries and every time I nearly died. Obviously, I know this is different but I am just cautious. I am also keen to get back to working as I loved my job.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, headaches and migraines can be aggravated by this pain. So, it may become better after the procedure. I think this procedure was developed in the 1990’s but was in good use from 2002 to 2004. But, it is not a big cohort of patients. You can try this procedure and hope you become all good and start work again. Thank you and take care. Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan
Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan

Orthopedician and Traumatology

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