Dealing with chronic pain is one of the most difficult situations someone can live through. Finding a definitive solution can be an overwhelming process due to the many available options there are. Let’s take a closer look at what surgical neurotomy / rhizotomy involves so that you can get a general overview of all the steps involved and make an informed decision.
Surgical neurotomy, also known as rhizotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a promising solution for those dealing with chronic pain caused by arthritis or compressed nerves. With the use of a special needle and an electrode, the specialist performs an ablation to target and disrupt the specific nerve endings responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain.
For those who have not found relief from other pain management methods, neurotomy can offer significant and long-lasting relief by interrupting the pain pathway while preserving the other essential functions of the nerve.
Neurotomy/rhizotomy is an umbrella term encompassing different methods, such as Endoscopic Facet Denervation, that target nerve roots in the spine that send pain signals to the brain. These nerve roots can become damaged or irritated due to various conditions that lead to persisting pain, including:
The goal is to interrupt these pain signals at their source, providing patients with an effective way to manage their chronic discomfort without the need for more invasive surgeries.
Besides providing alleviation, there are many other positive outcomes when everything goes as planned, such as the gradual regain of movement and the decreased need for pain medication.
After looking for different pain relief options, it’s normal to be hesitant, so please keep reading to learn more about how rhizotomy can greatly change your quality of life.
The exact steps are repeated along all the other nerves involved in the pain sensation, ensuring that the relief is achieved after the initial recovery is complete. Depending on the specificities of your condition, the procedures may last less or longer, as the priority is to target the root cause of that chronic pain that is preventing you from having a tranquil life.
Importantly, the procedure does not affect the other functions of the nerve, such as motor control or sensation, ensuring that the patient’s overall neurological function remains intact.
The main benefit of surgical neurotomy is pain relief, but there is more. Reducing chronic pain can change life so drastically that effective mitigation provides cascading benefits:
Although during the first days or weeks of recovery you may feel a burning or numbing sensation, always keep in mind the long-term betterment. After all, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure means it involves less downtime, fewer risks, and a quicker recovery than traditional surgeries.
Because chronic pain can stem from many different medical conditions, although surgical neurotomy / rhizotomy provides relief, it does not represent a final solution for certain ailments. If you are suffering from facet joint syndrome (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine pain), this treatment is a primary option among those looking for durable relief. In any case, it is also a great option for the following conditions causing chronic pain:
During the procedure, the injection insertion would be the part when the most pain could emerge, and that’s why a local anesthetic is the previous step before it happens. In some cases, even medication can be administered during the preparation to prevent a strong pain sensation.
Although two out of three methods used for neurotomy / rhizotomy involve ablations (whether it is radiofrequency or chemical), there’s also the surgical cutting option. In other words, ablation is one of the techniques required during the neurotomy/rhizotomy procedure, which is the overall name of the whole process.
The standard healing timeline requires at least a couple of weeks after the procedure is completed. If the pain relief hasn’t occurred until then, it means that it hasn’t worked as planned, which is always a probability. It’s up to you if you want to try this option again, as surgical neurotomy / rhizotomy can be repeated after a detailed diagnostic re-evaluation. There’s also another alternative, which is trying regenerative medicine.
The neurotomy success rate depends on quite a lot of factors, but there’s an average percentage that depends on the treated medical condition:
Chronic pain is a condition that affects the normal day-to-day life so drastically, but long-term relief is attainable. With the professional assistance being in charge of ensuring that the procedure is done, the success rate probabilities increase. With us, you can rest assured that you are in the best hands.
If you are considering surgical neurotomy as a treatment option, the specialists at University Pain and Spine Center can help you determine if this procedure is right for you. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care to address chronic pain solutions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation in New York or New Jersey. Explore how surgical neurotomy can help you regain control of your life, free from the burden of chronic pain.
