Rhizotomy Treatment

Chronic back or neck pain can make even simple daily movements exhausting. When irritated facet joints send constant pain signals to the brain, restoring comfort becomes essential for quality of life. Rhizotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that safely interrupts these pain pathways, helping patients regain mobility with long-lasting relief.

At Precision Pain & Spine Institute, our board-certified pain management specialists, spine surgeons, chiropractors, orthopedic physicians, and EMG-trained neurologic experts perform rhizotomy using advanced image-guided techniques. This allows us to precisely target the medial branch nerves responsible for facet pain; optimizing accuracy, safety, and results for patients across New Jersey.

What Is a Rhizotomy?

A rhizotomy is a procedure designed to stop pain signals traveling from irritated or inflamed facet joints to the brain.

The medial branch nerves sit along each spinal segment and transmit signals from the facet joints. When these nerves become irritated from arthritis, injury, or degeneration, they can generate significant discomfort.

Rhizotomy works by deactivating these nerves, often through radiofrequency (RF) heat. By “turning off” the irritated sensory nerve, the treatment reduces chronic pain while preserving normal strength and movement.

This procedure is commonly performed for:

• Facet joint syndrome
• Arthritis of the spine
• Degenerative spinal conditions
• Chronic low back or neck pain
• Pain aggravated by extension or rotation
• Post-traumatic or work-related spinal injuries

Why Rhizotomy Is Performed

Rhizotomy is recommended when chronic back or neck pain interferes with daily activities despite conservative treatments such as:

• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Chiropractic care
• Injections (medial branch blocks, facet injections)

Rhizotomy provides:

• Minimally invasive, injection-based relief
• Reduced nerve pain caused by irritated facets
• Improved mobility and function
• Long-term pain reduction often lasting months to years

At our clinic, rhizotomy is offered only after confirming the pain source through diagnostic medial branch blocks.

How a Rhizotomy Procedure Works

1. Imaging-Guided Needle Placement

Using fluoroscopy, the needle is precisely guided to the medial branch nerve at the affected spinal level.

2. Nerve Confirmation

A gentle electrical stimulation verifies the nerve’s location, ensuring accuracy before treatment.

3. Radiofrequency Ablation

A specialized electrode is heated, safely deactivating the sensory nerve responsible for sending pain signals.

4. Quick Recovery

Most procedures last only minutes. Patients typically walk out the same day and experience improvement within days to weeks.

Recovery After Rhizotomy

Rizotomy recovery is fast:

• Most patients resume normal activity within 1–2 days
• Some experience temporary soreness, swelling, or bruising at the treatment site
• Relief may build gradually as the nerve fully deactivates
• Pain relief typically lasts 6–24 months, depending on nerve regrowth

Our team provides tailored aftercare, including stretching, therapy recommendations, ergonomic guidance, and strengthening plans to help support long-term results.

What Is the Success Rate for Rhizotomy?

Most patients experience significant relief, though no procedure is 100% effective. Nerves may regenerate over time, and repeat rhizotomy may be beneficial.

At Precision Pain & Spine Institute, we achieve high success rates by:

• Confirming pain source with diagnostic blocks
• Using real-time imaging for accuracy
• Combining rhizotomy with rehabilitative care