Rhizotomy Information

By Author: autor
Total Articles: 4328
Comment this article

Facet rhizotomy is a type of relatively non-invasive spinal procedure designed to help minimize pain due to facet joint damage or degenerative bone conditions that cause the facet joints to rub or grind together when an adult bends forward or backward, or with turning moves. Rhizotomy is used to manage extreme facet joints and sacroiliac joints. Usually, facet rhizotomy is used when other available therapeutics for the neck pain, such as epidural steroid and lidocaine injections have proved to be effective. Actually, the doctor is given a strong proof that the pain is being on account of the facet joints and not some other structural condition by the fact that the pain is being relieved by the injections.

Facet rhizotomy is the deadening of the facet joint nerves (which signal pain) with focused heat from an electrode inserted into individual vertebrae. Technically, there are 2 main types of radio frequency waves used in this procedure which are steady and pulse. Steady waves simply heat the area till the medical professional feels that the nerve has been sufficiently silenced. Pulse waves are used in pretty sensitive ...
... areas, such as the neck. These steady or pulse (radio frequency) heat waves are emitted in concentrated bursts expressly at the distressed nerve of the facet joint that is producing pain. Using the pulse wave technology of today allows medical professionals to reduce the damage to surrounding nerves. In loads of ways, a facet rhizotomy is similar to a steroid block. The purpose of a facet rhizotomy is to provide relief from pain by "shutting off" the pain signals that the afflicted facet joints send to the brain. A lumbar facet rhizotomy is a surgery for lumbar facet arthritis.

A facet rhizotomy is done if have pain a result of degeneration and deterioration or disease in the facet joints of your vertebrae and you have had proper pain relief from your facet nerve blocks. During the procedure the person is given a local anesthetic to numb the therapy area, not general anesthetic and so they are awake for the rhizotomy procedure. Facet rhizotomy is a surgical procedure that involves severing a small nerve that goes to the facet joint using a localized heat (radio frequency) wave to deaden the nerve so to speak. Fluoroscopy, or live x-ray is used to the view the needle or probe. Over and above that, an electrical current will be sent through the needle to make sure that it is in the proper proximity to the afflicted nerve. Facet rhizotomy is a procedure that uses a radio frequency probe to exterminate some of the affected nerve or nerves producing pain. This heat is what actually deadens, stuns, or kills the nerve endings which in turn blocks the pain in the joint. A facet rhizotomy is an outpatient procedure and many a time takes between 30 to 60 minutes to complete and the adult can return home almost immediately after.

Facet rhizotomy is a pain management treatment option used for chronic facet joint pain. Obviously, a facet rhizotomy is plus considered a last resort due to the fact that it is consider a surgical operation option. However, facet rhizotomy is one of the remarkable minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedure. Therefore, it is a marvelous option for those people who have already decided on a surgery as their next option. Like any other sort of surgical treatment there are risks convoluted with a facet rhizotomy. There are risks of a facet rhizotomy much like any other back surgical treatment. Although a facet rhizotomy is consider a minor surgery it still has some risks same as any other form of back surgical procedure. The procedure might be minor, but it is still a variety of back surgical operation and does have some risks. There is the chance for infection, continued bleeding or damage to other spinal nerves. There is not only that the chance of an unsuccessful outcome and continuing pain. This surgical method offers moderately favorable curative results, although commonly, the relief is short lived. In conclusion, we still feel like the procedure is worth it if you are already considering some sort of surgery, attributed to the fact that a more invasive surgical operation will always be performed if the facet rhizotomy is not successful.