LUMBAR PAIN

Lumbar rhizotomy for pain management

Lumbar rhizotomy for pain management

Low back pain is a common disorder, and one of the main reasons why people go to their doctor and specifically to the orthopedic surgeon. If left untreated, it can become chronic and become a cause of disability.

Prevention is very important in the treatment of low back pain. Correct postural hygiene in daily activities and avoiding carrying weights without having previously warmed up the lumbar area are two examples of this.

Fortunately, there are minimally invasive procedures such as lumbar Rhizolysis, which can be effective in treating chronic low back pain that does not respond to conservative treatment and provided that it is of facet origin, the posterior joints of the spine.

What is Lumbar Rhizolysis?

Lumbar Rhizolysis or Lumbar Facet Rhizolysis is a procedure that acts on the nerves of the joints of the spine. It is also known as radiofrequency denervation because it uses a technique that applies heat produced by radiofrequency through a needle. The objective of this non-invasive technique is to treat low back pain and provide relief in the medium or long term, annulling for a variable period of time the function of the nerves responsible for pain in the lower back.

Lumbar Rhizolysis acts on the pain transmitter.

But to better understand the mechanism of action of the treatment, we must first talk about the facet joints. The facet joints are joints located symmetrically at the back of each of the lumbar vertebrae of the spine. In each facet joint, we find two nerves that transmit sensations such as pain to the brain. By means of lumbar Rhizolysis, the transmission of the unpleasant sensation of pain can be partially annulled.

Benefits of Lumbar Rhizolysis

The improvement in the sensation of low back pain is usually noticed progressively, and the person who undergoes the treatment can lead a normal life practically from the first moment once the intervention is finished, although rest guidelines are recommended during the first 48 hours. Some people experience greater benefits one or two weeks after leaving the operating room under their own steam, and the relief achieved is usually maintained for a variable period of time ranging from six months to two years. After this period, the nerve regenerates, and the pain may gradually return. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated to reduce the pain sensation again.

Lumbar Rhizolysis does not require general anesthesia or admission to a medical center. The procedure is usually performed with the patient in prone position (i.e. face down) and does not usually take more than 30 minutes, depending on the number of nerves involved. At the end of the procedure, no special care is required, and the person can go home after a short period of observation without incident.

It is important to emphasize that not all pain coming from this area is generated in the joints, so that on certain occasions the relief, although noticeable, will not be total. There is also the possibility that the procedure may have no effect on pain sensation, although with a proper diagnosis, this possibility is minimal. To further minimize this risk, confirm the diagnosis and determine with certainty that most of the pain sensation is coming from the facet joints, pre-assessments are performed.

Referencias

  • Martínez-Martínez, A., García-Espinosa, J., Ruiz-Santiago, F., Guzmán-Álvarez, L., & Castellano-García, M. (2017). Interventional approach to lumbar facet syndrome: radiofrequency denervation. Revista chilena de radiología, 23(1), 07-14. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0717-93082017000100003.