What is a Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Lesioning?
Radiofrequency Lesioning is the use of a temperature-monitored probe to decrease pain by interrupting the sensory nerve pathway. A Facet Nerve Rhizotomy is the heating of the nerves at the facet joints for relief of pain. The heating of these nerves damages these nerves and interrupts the pain messages before they are sent to the brain where the pain is actually perceived. Radiofrequency power is used to heat these nerves to cause lesions along the nerve pathway, thereby preventing pain messages from being sent to the brain. Pain relief from this procedure can last from three months to a year or longer. This is because the nerve damage from the radiofrequency is only temporary. These nerves will repair themselves, and the time frame for this repair varies, as every individual patient is unique in their healing process. The procedure is done in the operating room under fluoroscopy. The patient is given a local anesthetic and IV sedation. The doctor will insert a special needle into the
