Radiofrequency Denervation (Facet Rhizotomy)

[rose]

Has anyone heard of this treatment?? I can think of "Rhizotomy" in other words.
Any patient out there who has tried this treatment post ADR??

I had a consult with my surgeon who says to try this treatment in few months as soon as he gets his equipment ready (MRI) machine that he was using to to "Cryotherapy" treatments.

We would try 1st this treatment. If no luck, then next is "External fixation" which means "fuse" posteriorely my ADR (L4/L5) with 2 screws to block the movement from the facets permanently.
He would not go and take out the ADR but stop the movement from the back!!! That means in 10 yrs my L3/L4 will go out.....

I guess I am in those "bad outcomes" from ADR. I should have looked in 2 fusion posteriorely instead of an Hybrid.

Meanwhile, more search, more treatments.

Thank you

[KBear]

Hmmm, never heard of it. I have had cryotherapy done on pre-cancerous cells on my cervix, like 10 years ago... never had an issue since that procedure. Would love to hear more, hint hint-Justin!

[Justin]

Has anyone heard of this treatment?? I can think of "Rhizotomy" in other words.
Any patient out there who has tried this treatment post ADR??

I had a consult with my surgeon who says to try this treatment in few months as soon as he gets his equipment ready (MRI) machine that he was using to to "Cryotherapy" treatments.

We would try 1st this treatment. If no luck, then next is "External fixation" which means "fuse" posteriorely my ADR (L4/L5) with 2 screws to block the movement from the facets permanently.
He would not go and take out the ADR but stop the movement from the back!!! That means in 10 yrs my L3/L4 will go out.....

I guess I am in those "bad outcomes" from ADR. I should have looked in 2 fusion posteriorely instead of an Hybrid.

Meanwhile, more search, more treatments.

Thank you

Hi Rose,

I'm sorry that you are still experiencing pain after your hybrid surgery. Radiofrequency ablation is when radio waves are used to destroy tissue, in particular a nerve. It has many applications and has been used to help Spine Patients with their pain.

The rhiztomy procedure is similar to a diagnostic facet injection. In a diagnostic facet injection, a needle containing local anesthetic and cortisone is injected directly into the facet joint(s). If the patient finds the injection provided reduction in their pain, it can be concluded with relative certainty that the facet joint(s) are at least indicated in the patient's pain.

A procedure similar to the one that is used above for diagnostic facet injections is also used for radiofrequency ablation. However, in radiofrequency ablation an electrode is placed inside of the needle this time and the electrode is able to focus radio waves onto specific nerves. The radio waves are used to generate heat and the nerve is subsequently heated--a "lesion" has been purposely introduced into the nerve to stop pain signals from reaching your brain. The specific nerves targeted in this procedure are called the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints.

I hope this helps.

One question for you Rose: did the physician you are seeing explain that some facet rhizotomies can last years, while others only last a few months in terms of pain reduction?

PS Please insert a signature when you get a chance...I forgot what procedures you've had done. Thanks!

[KBear]

Justin, you are so good at explaining this stuff. I didn't even realize that I had this procedure done, until I read your response. It didn't help me; but I also went to sleep after the diagnostic part (thus had no pain).... didn't realize that was a no no and failed to mention that part to my
doc. I then had the nerve ablation on the medial branch nerves. This procedure wasn't a total loss though, when my pre-ADR MRI showed moderate facet arthritis, the dr. concluded that I was still an ADR canidate, since this procedure did not give relief (which meant it was not the facets causing pain).

[Terry Newton]

It is a worthwhile procedure to try out so as to avoid another surgery and, to be conservative and, less invasive in your treatment. Definitely worth a try. I have known some to get years worth of relief and others barely got any relief at all. It is still worth the attempt.

[rose]

It is a worthwhile procedure to try out so as to avoid another surgery and, to be conservative and, less invasive in your treatment. Definitely worth a try. I have known some to get years worth of relief and others barely got any relief at all. It is still worth the attempt.

Thank you Justin for your explanations. I hope truly that I don't go to the 2nd treatment (posterior fusion on my ADR).

Thank you Terry, you give me hope.

[Justin]

Thank you Justin for your explanations. I hope truly that I don't go to the 2nd treatment (posterior fusion on my ADR).

Thank you Terry, you give me hope.

Rose,

I truly hope that you will not need an invasive procedure to help with your pain. Thanks for all of your support and phone calls over the years. Please don't hesitate to PM / email / call me if you need anything. Better days are ahead for you! Please keep us updated, as we do care.

God bless,

[rose]

Better days are ahead for you! Please keep us updated, as we do care.

God bless,[/QUOTE]

[rose]

Better days are ahead for you! Please keep us updated, as we do care.

God bless,

Thank you, Justin. Do you know anything about "External fixation" that my surgeon mentioned in case of the 1st treatment not working (radio frequency denervation)

External fixation (more drastic) would work this way:

1 week in the hospital with 2 screws through the skin on the ADR L4/L5 for trial. Every day, he would check and see if there is any relief. If yes, then permanent fixation Endoscopically on the facets (understood as fusion).
The idea is not to go and remove the ADR anteriorely and fuse from the back. I know this means more problems down the road.

Let me know and thank you once again,

[Cindylou]

Yes, the radiofrequency ablation is definitely worth a try. I have had it done numerous times on my cervical area. One time I received a full year of relief! Definitely a less invasive approach to consider.