What is rhizotomy?
A rhizotomy is an interventional pain management treatment that destroys the nerve causing your pain. During your rhizotomy, an electric current is sent to the nerve, severs it, and stops the pain signals to your brain. A rhizotomy is also known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), nerve ablation, or nerve burn.
Am I a good candidate for rhizotomy?
Your specialist at Regency Pain & Therapy Institute determines if you’re a good candidate for a rhizotomy after a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of your symptoms, past medical history, and source of pain. The treatment may be used to help you get relief from:
- Chronic back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disc
- Arthritis
- Post-operative pain management
Before turning to a rhizotomy for pain relief, your specialist may try more conservative pain management treatments, such as pain medication and physical therapy. If these treatments fail to give you the relief you need, then your specialist may recommend a rhizotomy.
To identify the nerve causing your pain, your specialist may first conduct a nerve block, which is an injection that stops the pain signal. Once they locate your pain-causing nerve, scheduling a rhizotomy to sever the nerve is possible.
What can I expect during a rhizotomy?
Your rhizotomy is performed as an outpatient procedure at the office. The entire treatment may take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, followed by a brief time in the recovery area.
You receive a local anesthetic before your rhizotomy to ease discomfort. Using guided imagery, your specialist at Regency Pain & Therapy Institute inserts a special tool under your skin, which sends the electric current that destroys your nerve. You may feel a tingling sensation during this process, but no pain.
If the rhizotomy is successful, you should feel relief from your pain. However, in some people, the nerve can grow back, and you may experience a return of your pain within six to nine months.
Finding the right treatment for your chronic pain can take some trial and error. The pain management experts at Regency Pain & Therapy Institute offer cutting-edge treatments to help you get the relief you seek to improve your quality of life. For a consultation, call the office nearest you today.
