Rhizotomy

Nerve damage can leave you with chronic spinal pain that’s difficult to relieve with conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or muscle relaxers. If you’re in pain from nerve problems, rhizotomy may be the solution. Experienced orthopedic surgeon Adam Ward, MD, performs this minimally invasive procedure at Anchor Spine & Joint. To determine if you’re a good candidate, call the office nearest you in Tampa, Riverview, Odessa, Pinellas Park, or Lutz, Florida, or schedule an appointment online.

What is rhizotomy?

Rhizotomy covers various procedures that involve destroying malfunctioning nerve fibers to stop them from causing pain. When damaged or irritated nerves continue to send pain messages to your brain, rhizotomy can interrupt those signals at their source. This procedure addresses the root cause of nerve pain rather than simply managing symptoms with medication.

Are there different types of rhizotomy?

Dr. Ward performs several types of rhizotomies, depending on your specific pain and where it's coming from, including:

Radiofrequency ablation

This technique uses heat from radio waves to disengage the nerve. Dr. Ward guides a thin needle to the problem nerve and applies controlled heat to stop it from sending pain signals.

Glycerin rhizotomy

For this approach, Dr. Ward injects glycerin near the nerve root. The glycerin damages the nerve enough to interrupt pain signals while preserving other nerve functions.

Endoscopic rhizotomy

Using a tiny camera called an endoscope, Dr. Ward can see exactly where he needs to work and precisely target the problematic nerve tissue.

Who should consider rhizotomy?

Rhizotomy might help if you’ve tried other treatments without success and your pain stems from nerve problems. You’re likely a good candidate if you have:

• Chronic back or neck pain from damaged facet joints
• Trigeminal neuralgia that hasn’t responded to medication
• Pain from arthritis in your spine’s facet joints
• Nerve-related pain that keeps you from daily activities

Before recommending rhizotomy, Dr. Ward usually performs diagnostic nerve blocks to confirm that targeting those specific nerves provides relief.

What is the rhizotomy procedure like?

Dr. Ward performs rhizotomy as an outpatient procedure so you can go home the same day. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, he uses imaging guidance to position the needle precisely where it needs to go. The actual nerve treatment takes just a few minutes; the entire appointment can take an hour or more.

What can I expect from the recovery process? 

You can expect some soreness around the injection site for a few days, and you may notice your pain worsens briefly before improving. Pain relief typically starts within a couple of weeks and can last from six months to several years. 

If nerve pain has been controlling your life and other treatments haven’t worked, rhizotomy at Anchor Spine & Joint can deliver the relief you’ve been looking for. Call your nearest office or book online to discuss whether this procedure is best for you.