Endoscopic Rhizotomy
Looking for an answer for Low Back Pain?
If the challenges of everyday life invoice low back pain that limits your ability to perform and participate in the activities of daily life, this may be the answer to end your suffering and pain.
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Endoscopic and Direct Visualization Rhizotomy Surgery
An endoscopic rhizotomy is a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery that allows direct visualization of the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints in the back of the spine. This procedure may also be called a facet joint denervation.
Medial branch nerves are very small nerves that innervate the facet joints of the spine. Facet joints are the joints connecting the different vertebrae of the spine to each other. The joints are present on both sides of the spine from the neck to the lower back.
The surgery takes the percutaneous radiofrequency ablation procedure (RFA), a common procedure where we use special needles and electrical current to turn off the nerves, an important step further by providing direct endoscopic visualization of the posterior spinal anatomy and nerves.
We have answers and options to relieve pain from Herniated Discs, Disc Bulges, Spinal Stenosis, Sciatica, Pinched Nerve, Annular Disc Tear, Degenerative Disc disease, Spondylosis/Spine Arthritis, Radiculopathy, Bone Spurs/Osteophytes and Facet Joint Syndrome.
Free Pain Screening Quiz
Pain presents itself in many different ways, at different times and in many cases is triggered by specific activities. Arizona Pain Treatment Centers will be happy to answer your questions in conjunction with a personal phone call follow up with one of our doctors. Please answer the questions as accurately as possible.
Free Pain Screening Quiz
Do you have any of the following?
Symptoms
- Chronic low back pain
- Sciatica or radiating leg pain
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
- Facet joint hypertrophy
- Facet joint arthritis or low back arthritis
- Failed back surgery syndrome
Are you experiencing:
- Lower back pain longer than 6 weeks with no response to conservative treatments
- Palpation of the facet joints causes muscle spasms and deep tenderness
- Restricted range of movement in the lumbar spine or low back, particularly when bending backward
Difference Between a Radiofrequency Ablation and a Rhizotomy
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure for back pain where we use special needles and electrical currents to turn off the nerves and their ability to transmit pain signals. We get an average of 11 months of relief. By that time, the nerve may heal and the pain may return.
The surgical aspect of a rhizotomy is a little more invasive but still considered an endoscopic minimally invasive surgery or procedure. The incision is smaller than a centimeter and involves the use of a camera through which we can use special tools to identify the nerves, surgically remove those nerves, and then perform an ablative procedure under direct visualization.
The result of a rhizotomy is a little more invasive than an RFA but is still considered an endoscopic minimally invasive surgery or procedure. The incision is smaller than a centimeter and involves the use of a camera through which we can use special tools to clearly identify the nerves, surgically remove those nerves, and then perform an ablative procedure under direct visualization. The incision site is closed with one or two stitches and a small bandage.
What are some of the advantages of a rhizotomy surgery?
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Small incision and minimal scar tissue
- Outpatient procedure
- Short recovery time
- High success rate and sustained success of the therapy
- No or minimal blood loss
- Possible use of local anesthesia
- Spinal mobility is maintained
- Visual endoscopic control of the treatment
When is rhizotomy recommended?
- Patient has lower back pain longer than 6 weeks with no response to conservative treatments
- Palpation of the facet joints causes muscle spasm and deep tenderness
- Patient has restricted range of movement in the lumbar spine, particularly when bending backwards
- Blocking the facet joint or medial branch nerve confirms that lower back pain is caused by the facet joint
What are the indications for a rhizotomy?
A rhizotomy is indicated if the diagnostic *medial branch block (MBB) procedure is successful in confirming back pain is originating from the facet joints. For the sacroiliac joint, a successful sacroiliac joint injection is needed.
*Medical branch block (MBB) is an injection of a local anesthetic directly near the medial branch nerve to temporarily block the pain signal carried from the facet joints to the brain. It is a diagnostic tool that provides only temporary relief from pain and is used in diagnosing the cause of your back pain.
After the medial branch block(MBB) your pain may:
- Go away for a few hours
- A few days or
- Not reduce at all
If the pain is relieved after the medial branch block, this indicates that the origin of the pain is the medial branch nerves that were numbed. Our team may recommend a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or proceed to an endoscopic rhizotomy.
What To Expect
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