What Is a Rhizotomy?
A rhizotomy is a procedure that targets painful nerves in the facet joints of the spine. Facet joints are found at each intervertebral segment, and they each contain a medial nerve. Medial nerves provide sensation to the joint; however, they can also be the source of significant pain when they’re inflamed or irritated in some way. The goal of the rhizotomy treatment is to “turn off” an irritated nerve at this location and stop it from sending pain signals from the inflamed facet joint to the brain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhizotomy surgery is usually performed to decrease back pain and neck pain when it’s affecting a person’s quality of life. The procedure is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way to restore movement, reduce suffering, and help patients return to their daily activities. Nerve pain can be significant, and a rhizotomy can offer much-needed relief.
As rhizotomy is less invasive than many other back surgeries, it can be used to treat a wide range of nerve issues in the back and neck, such as:
- Arthritis
- Degenerative spinal conditions
- Disc herniations
- Joint pain
- Spasticity and pain caused by cerebral palsy
- Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain caused by trigeminal nerve irritation)
Like most procedures, rhizotomy can’t guarantee a 100% effectiveness rate. A portion of patients who undergo the surgery will receive little to no pain relief, and for others, the pain may return in the coming years as the nerve regrows. However, these are a small percentage of the cases. When you consult with a rhizotomy surgeon, they can give you all of the information you need to know to make an educated choice about your surgery. The vast majority of patients who undergo the rhizotomy procedure experience pain relief that lasts.