Nearly everyone has experienced some degree of back pain in their lives. Many even live with chronic back pain that impacts their quality of life on a daily basis. If this sounds like your situation, a radiofrequency neurotomy could help reduce your back pain. This is a minimally invasive procedure that works to combat back pain caused by facet arthritis.
What is Radiofrequency Neurotomy?
A facet radiofrequency neurotomy, also known as a rhizotomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at reducing arthritic pain. This procedure can be performed at the lumbar (low back), cervical (neck), thoracic (mid/upper back) or sacral region of the spine. Essentially, this procedure uses heat to disrupt a nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain. During the procedure, the patient is given a local anesthetic to numb the affected area of the spine. The physician then inserts needles into precise locations in the back. Once these needles are in place, the physician uses them to focus radio waves at specific nerves, disrupting their ability to send pain signals.
How Radiofrequency Neurotomy Can Help
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy can be an effective treatment option for many conditions, including:
- Cervical facet arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Whiplash injury
- Spinal degeneration
This can be a highly effective procedure and may be an alternative treatment to spinal fusion surgery. Your pain may return several months to more than a year after your rhizotomy procedure, as the medial branch nerves begin to regenerate. If this happens, you can have the rhizotomy procedure repeated.
Twin Cities Back Pain Clinic
If you are suffering from back or neck pain, make an appointment with Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota today to see if a radiofrequency neurotomy could reduce your pain. Our Edina pain physicians have been helping people relieve their pain for over two decades. Call now to set up your appointment: (612) 20-SPINE.