|
||||||
Rhizotomy Treatment
Relevant information about Rhizotomy Treatment.
Radio Frequency Ablation, also called Rhizotomy, is a non surgical procedure used to eliminate or reduce spinal column pain symptoms. An electrical current produced by a radio wave is used to heat up a small area of nerve tissue. This causes the nerves to burn, thus decreasing or eliminating the pain signals. The procedure is performed in order to treat a spinal column that suffers degeneration of joints from Arthritis.
The main problem that this treatment solves is spinal column joints degeneration, which is generally caused by Arthritis. Each spinal column vertebrae have two sets of bony knobs that meet between each vertebra. These are called facet joints. The facet joints have different locations, depending on the area of the spinal column they occupy. In the lumbar and thoracic spine, they are located on the back of the spinal column. In the cervical spine, they are located on each side of the vertebra. The surfaces of the joints are lined with cartilage, allowing them to move and glide smoothly. This cartilage may become thin, due to age or heavy work, eventually causing chronic inflammation and Arthritis. When this happens, bone spurs and joint enlargement occur. The nerves that supply the facet joints, which are called medial branches, carry the pain caused by the disease and send them to the spinal cord, from where they eventually will reach the brain. At this point is when the pain begins to be registered by the individual. However, pain may only occur while doing certain activities, or come and go during periods of time.
First of all, an intravenous line is placed in a vein in the patient’s arm before the procedure and a local anesthetic and mild sedative may be used to reduce any discomfort during the procedure. After this, the patient is put lying on the stomach and the skin over the neck, mid-back or low back, depending on which is the affected zone or zones, is well cleaned. Next, numbing medicine is used over the part or parts cleaned. Then, under x-ray guidance, a special radiofrequency needle is placed alongside the targeted medial branch nerve. Once the needle has been placed, microelectrode is then put inside the needle. The microelectrode generates a small amount of electrical current that is given through the tip of the needle, in order to assure that it is precisely next to the targeted medial branch nerve and not next to any other nerve. If the needle is in the correct position the pain caused by the nerve will be recreated by this electrical shock. Muscle twitches may also happen. After this, the medial branch nerve is numbed and then heated by the radiofrequency needle. After approximately a minute the nerve is destroyed by the heat. This process is usually repeated for more nerves, usually from one nerve to five.
After the procedure, the patient may have some relief of pain from the numbing medication used during the procedure. However, the patient may not be able to drive or do any physical activity for 24 hours. On the first days an increase in pain will be felt and pain medications will be taken. It is important to begin a program of conditioning, strengthening, and range of motion exercises after Radio Frequency Ablation. Ideally, increased muscle strength around the treated joints will make them less painful for several months after the treatment.
There are several possible complications, however these are very rare. Neuritis, which is an inflammation of the nerve with pain and tenderness, can occur after the procedure. It usually last three to six weeks, but in case of continuing, the patient may have to be injected with a local anesthetic and steroids in order to relieve the pain. A Neuroma, is another complication that may happen after the procedure. It is a tumor made from nerve cells and fibers that forms around the area destroyed during the Radio Frequency Ablation procedure. This tumor puts pressure on the nerves and causes pain. Finally, numbness and infection are more common complications. The first one may happen when a nerve is accidentally damaged. The second one, can happen depending on the patient’s particularities and may involve skin, joints and surrounding bones.
The treatment relieves the pain by damaging the pain nerves of the area.
The damaged nerves will eventually regenerate themselves and the pain will recur in nine to fourteen months.
|
?
