If you are dealing with unrelenting back pain that hasn’t been quelled by conservative methods, your spine specialist may recommend that you consider a surgical procedure. There are a variety of spinal surgeries that can be performed depending on your underlying cause, and one such operation is called a rhizotomy. This procedure is typically performed to address nerve roots that are improperly sending pain signals to the brain. We take a closer look at the rhizotomy procedure and answer some of the most common questions about the operation and your recovery in today’s blog.
What Is A Rhizotomy?
As we alluded to in the intro, a rhizotomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to treat back pain caused by a spinal nerve issue. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves cutting the nerve roots near their entrance to the spinal cord. Essentially, it’s like unplugging a cord that’s connected to a power strip. If that connection no longer exists, the painful signals can no longer be relayed to the control center.
The operation is performed on a minimally invasive basis, meaning only a couple small incisions need to be made in order to access the affected area. Once the surgeon has navigated to the right location, they’ll use a special tool to heat up the nerve root. This concentrated heat burns the root and prevents the relay of nerve impulses. For many patients, this procedure provides immediate pain relief from the nerve signals that were causing their pain. It also significantly helps to reduce the need for pain medications.
One of the biggest advantages and potential disadvantages of the procedure is that it is highly targeted. Because specific nerve roots can be disabled, it can be highly effective in stopping the true source of pain, and in turn provide immediate pain relief. However, it’s very important that your spine specialist conducts a thorough diagnosis to ensure the nerves you are targeting are the underlying source of your pain. If the wrong nerves are targeted or they aren’t actually what’s causing your discomfort, you may not find relief. A rhizotomy can be highly effective for the right person, but only when a thorough diagnostic examination is performed.
Recovering After A Rhizotomy
Because it is performed on a minimally invasive basis, many people can get back to normal activities pretty quickly after surgery. Most patients can return to normal non-strenuous activities the next day, and more strenuous activity can typically be performed within a couple of days, but ask your surgeon for individualized recommendations.
Some patients experience mild discomfort, bruising, swelling or soreness at the surgical location in the days after a rhizotomy, but most of those symptoms fade over time and are completely gone after a few weeks at most. Patients with mild or moderate discomfort at the surgical site may find it helpful to take an over-the-counter pain reliever for a few days to help with the pain.
So if you have been told that a spinal nerve issue is to blame and a decompression operation is unlikely to rectify the problem, talk to your surgeon about the possibility of a rhizotomy procedure. Unplug the problemed nerves and get back to enjoying life without pain. For more information, or to talk to a spine specialist about your discomfort, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
