Convenient Care
Starts Here!
Starts Here!
Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Experience quick back pain relief with this minimally invasive procedure.
Persistent back or neck pain that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments can severely impact your ability to work, exercise, and enjoy daily activities. When the source of your discomfort stems from irritated facet joint nerves in your spine, traditional pain medications and injections may provide only temporary relief. This recurring cycle of pain can leave you feeling frustrated and wondering if more effective solutions exist. Understanding advanced interventional procedures can help you discover lasting relief options you may not have considered.
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, we offer comprehensive pain management solutions for patients throughout Northern New Jersey. Our experienced specialists perform advanced procedures including rhizotomy, a minimally invasive treatment that provides long-lasting relief for chronic spinal pain. With convenient locations in Glen Rock, Union, Clifton, and surrounding communities, we make it easy for you to access cutting-edge care close to home. Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in orthopedic surgery and interventional pain management to deliver personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific condition and goals.
When exploring advanced pain management procedures, rhizotomy offers a proven solution for chronic spinal pain that persists despite other conservative treatments.
Rhizotomy, also known as radiofrequency ablation or radiofrequency neurotomy, uses controlled heat energy to interrupt pain signals from damaged nerves. The procedure targets the medial branch nerves that supply sensation to facet joints in your spine. These small joints connect adjacent vertebrae and enable your spine to bend and twist. Over time, facet joints can develop arthritis, causing inflammation and chronic pain. The medial branch nerves carry pain signals from these irritated joints to your brain, perpetuating your discomfort even when the underlying joint damage cannot be reversed.
The radiofrequency technique creates a precise thermal lesion on the targeted nerve without damaging surrounding tissues. This interrupts the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals while leaving motor function completely intact. You maintain full strength and movement because the procedure affects only sensory nerves responsible for pain perception. Research published by the National Institutes of Health shows that rhizotomy provides pain relief lasting a minimum of six to twelve months in most patients, with many experiencing relief for significantly longer periods. Unlike steroid injections, which primarily reduce inflammation, rhizotomy addresses the pain pathway itself.
Facet joint arthritis represents the most common indication for rhizotomy procedures. Studies indicate that facet joints cause 21% to 41% of chronic lower back pain cases, with even higher percentages in patients over 65 years old. The condition develops gradually as cartilage within facet joints breaks down, causing bone-on-bone contact and inflammation. Patients typically experience localized back or neck pain that worsens with extension movements like arching backward or twisting.
Rhizotomy also effectively treats pain following spinal fusion surgery. Some patients develop facet-mediated pain at levels adjacent to their fusion due to increased stress on remaining mobile segments. Sacroiliac joint injections may provide initial relief, but rhizotomy of the lateral branches supplying the SI joint offers more durable results for refractory cases. Other conditions that respond well to rhizotomy include cervical facet syndrome causing chronic neck pain, pain from degenerative disc disease affecting facet joints, and discomfort from post-laminectomy syndrome when facet joints contribute to symptoms.
Before undergoing rhizotomy, you must first complete diagnostic medial branch nerve blocks to confirm your facet joints are the source of your pain. These diagnostic injections involve numbing the medial branch nerves with local anesthetic. If you experience significant pain relief lasting several hours, this confirms you are an appropriate candidate for rhizotomy. Most physicians require two successful diagnostic blocks before proceeding with the ablation procedure to ensure accurate diagnosis and maximize success rates.
On the day of your rhizotomy, you should arrange for someone to drive you home afterward. You may receive instructions to avoid eating or drinking after midnight, though many procedures use only local anesthesia. Most rhizotomies occur in an outpatient setting and take 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many nerves require treatment. You lie comfortably on a procedure table while we monitor your vital signs throughout the treatment.
We begin by cleaning and sterilizing the treatment area on your back or neck. Using fluoroscopic x-ray guidance, we identify the precise location of the medial branch nerves requiring treatment. After numbing your skin with local anesthetic, we insert a thin radiofrequency needle toward the target nerve. Once the needle reaches the correct position, we perform sensory and motor testing by applying a small electrical current. This testing helps ensure the needle placement is accurate and safe. You may feel brief tingling or muscle twitching during this phase, which helps us confirm proper positioning.
After confirming placement, we inject additional local anesthetic around the treatment area. The radiofrequency generator then delivers controlled heat through the needle tip, creating a small lesion on the nerve. The heating process typically lasts 60 to 90 seconds per nerve site. Most patients report feeling warmth or mild pressure during ablation but minimal discomfort. If multiple nerves require treatment, we repeat the process at each location. Similar to radiofrequency ablation of other areas, the procedure uses precise temperature control to ensure effective lesioning while protecting surrounding structures.
Immediately after rhizotomy, you rest in our recovery area for 15 to 30 minutes while we monitor your condition. You may experience some soreness at the needle insertion sites, which typically resolves within a few days. Some patients notice temporary increased pain or muscle spasms during the first week as the treated nerves undergo changes. This discomfort responds well to ice application, over-the-counter pain relievers, and rest.
Pain relief from rhizotomy develops gradually rather than immediately. The damaged nerves require time to stop transmitting pain signals effectively. Most patients begin noticing improvement within two to three weeks, with maximum benefit occurring around three to four weeks post-procedure. The relief typically lasts six months to two years, depending on how quickly your nerves regenerate. Studies show success rates of 70% to 80% for appropriately selected patients. When pain eventually returns as nerves heal and regenerate, the procedure can be safely repeated with similar success rates.
Rhizotomy offers several distinct advantages compared to ongoing conservative management. The procedure provides significantly longer pain relief than facet joint injections, which typically last weeks to months rather than many months to years. Unlike oral pain medications requiring daily dosing and carrying risks of side effects or dependency, rhizotomy delivers sustained relief through a single outpatient procedure. The minimally invasive nature means no incisions, no general anesthesia, and quick recovery compared to surgical interventions.
Many patients find rhizotomy allows them to reduce or eliminate chronic pain medications, improving overall health and quality of life. The procedure enables more effective participation in physical therapy and exercise programs by controlling pain that previously limited movement and rehabilitation efforts. For patients not ready for or not candidates for spinal fusion surgery, rhizotomy offers meaningful relief without the risks and recovery time associated with major surgical procedures. The ability to repeat the treatment when needed provides a sustainable long-term pain management strategy.
Rhizotomy is generally very safe when performed by experienced specialists using proper imaging guidance. Serious complications are rare but can include infection, bleeding, or allergic reactions to medications used during the procedure. Some patients experience temporary numbness, tingling, or weakness in treated areas as nerves respond to ablation. These sensations typically resolve within days to weeks. A small percentage of patients may not experience significant pain relief, highlighting the importance of proper patient selection through diagnostic blocks.
The use of fluoroscopic guidance throughout the procedure minimizes risks by ensuring accurate needle placement and avoiding injury to non-targeted structures. Our team takes extensive precautions to prevent complications, including thorough pre-procedure evaluation, sterile technique, and careful monitoring during and after treatment. We discuss all potential risks during your consultation and answer any questions to ensure you feel confident and informed about your decision.
Our approach to chronic pain management emphasizes finding the most effective treatment for your specific condition. We begin with conservative options and progress to more advanced interventions only when necessary. Rhizotomy represents an important middle ground between ongoing conservative care and surgical intervention, offering substantial relief for appropriately selected patients. We coordinate with physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists to optimize your outcomes and help you maintain improvements achieved through the procedure.
Our team of specialists brings extensive experience in diagnosing and treating complex spinal pain conditions affecting patients throughout Northern New Jersey. We utilize state-of-the-art technology and evidence-based techniques to ensure the highest quality care. Multiple convenient locations mean you can access expert pain management without traveling far from home. Don’t let chronic facet joint pain continue limiting your life and activities. Request an appointment with Oasis Orthopedic & Spine today to learn how rhizotomy can provide the lasting relief you deserve and help you return to the active lifestyle you’ve been missing.
The team at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine consists of experienced physicians and specialists providing comprehensive orthopedic and spine care across nine convenient locations throughout Northern New Jersey. Specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery, advanced orthopedic treatments, and pain management, our goal is to bring you the real-world clinical expertise and proven treatment approaches we use in our practice daily.
