Radio Frequency Facet Rhizotomy



Radio Frequency Facet Rhizotomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery that uses electrical pulses to block nerve signals and is considered an effective treatment for back pain management. This outpatient procedure can be used to treat many kinds of back pain and has been used extensively in the treatment of spine facet joints, which are the small joints found between and behind the vertebrae.



During radio frequency nerve ablation of facet joints, the patient is awake and under mild sedation with local anesthetics. The surgeon uses x-ray guidance to accurately position the radiofrequency probe, which uses heat to deaden the nerve and thereby eliminate back pain.



Because radio frequency nerve ablation does not provide permanent back pain relief, it is often used to eliminate or reduce the patient's back pain while another treatment is being pursued. Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation is a very effective form of pain management that provides most patients with immediate and often complete relief. While the effect usually lasts less than 12 months, most patients still report significantly less pain even after a year.