Facet Rhizotomy
Facet rhizotomy, also commonly referred to as radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses electrical currents to destroy nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain. Patients with chronic neck, arm, low back, or leg pain that stems from damaged facet joints may be considered candidates for facet rhizotomy. During the procedure, a physician uses a fluoroscope (special x-ray device) and hollow catheter to insert a radiofrequency probe into the sensory nerves located on damaged facet joints. When the probe is in place, the physician will administer radiofrequency energy to heat the tip of the probe. This heat lesion deadens the damaged nerve fibers, reducing pain. Patients may experience several weeks or months of pain relief following facet rhizotomy.
Learn about your treatment options
The first step in treating your pain is to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis, you and your doctor can determine your best treatment options. At The Pain Center, we offer traditional and state-of-the-art therapies to treat your pain and help get you back to your normal activities.
What is Facet Rhizotomy?
Facet joint rhizotomy, also commonly referred to as radiofrequency ablation (or radiofrequency rhizotomy), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses electrical currents to destroy affected nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain.
Patients with chronic neck, arm, low back, or leg pain that stems from damaged facet joints may be considered candidates for facet joint injections.
What Types of Pain Does Facet Rhizotomy Treat?
Chronic neck, arm, lower back, and leg pain from damaged facet joints in your spinal cord.
What are Facet Joints?
Facet joints are located in between vertebrae and are responsible for bending and twisting the spine.
These joints are surrounded by medial branch nerves, which carry pain signals from the spine to the brain.
Over time, facet joints may become worn down from aging, or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
How Does Facet Rhizotomy Work?
During the procedure, a physician uses a fluoroscope (a special x-ray device) and a hollow catheter to insert a radiofrequency probe into the sensory nerves located on your damaged facet joints.
When the probe is in place, the physician will administer radiofrequency energy to heat the tip of the probe. This heat lesion deadens the damaged nerve fibers, reducing pain.
Patients may experience several weeks or months of pain relief following facet rhizotomy.
What Causes Chronic Back Pain?
Oftentimes, spinal issues typically cause only back pain. It could be caused by simply a muscle strain or other muscular problems, but there’s a wide range of possible causes, including:
- Ligament strain
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Skeletal structure problems, including bone fractures or bone spurs
- Osteoporosis
What Symptoms of Back Pain Should I Watch Out For?
Acute back pain typically lasts up to three months, whereas chronic pain lasts longer. Report all your symptoms to your doctor, especially acute or chronic back pain symptoms such as:
- Muscle ache
- Shooting, stabbing, or dull pain
- Pain radiating toward the neck or down the legs
- Decreased range of motion and flexibility
- Pain reduction with rest or minimal movement
Other Conservative Treatments for Back Pain
Other procedures typically performed to treat chronic back pain include:
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- For short-term pain relief (typically 3-4 months), steroid injections can be used to treat neck pain and can be combined with physical therapy and exercise for maximum benefit.
- Nerve Blocks
- Therapeutic nerve blocks contain local pain medications that can control acute pain.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (Rhizotomy)
- A minimally invasive procedure in the neck, middle or lower back, that destroys nerve fibers in the back that carry pain signals. It is performed under fluoroscopy (live x-ray).
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- If other therapies aren’t effective for treating your pain, an implantable pain management device can be an option. These devices administer mild electrical pulses to block the transmission of pain.
Get the care you need within 24 hours*
We know when you’re looking for relief for your chronic pain, you can’t wait any longer than you already have. This is why we can schedule you with an appointment within 24 hours at most of our pain centers across the Valley, so you can start your journey to life-long pain relief as soon as tomorrow.