There are many people who suffer from back pain in our society. It is only when the pain becomes unbearable that they decide to go to a spine specialist for treatment. There are many minimally invasive treatments to treat chronic spinal pain. In this post, we tell you everything related to the treatment of rhizolysis as a therapy for chronic pain of facet origin.
What is facet rhizolysis?
Rhizolysis is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat the symptoms of chronic pain, with origin in the facet joints of the cervical, dorsal and lumbar spine. The procedure applies the radiofrequency to destroy those nerve endings that transmit pain. Depending on whether the rhizolysis is lumbar or dorsal, the intervention will be approached with the patient lying on his back (lumbar rhizolysis) or down (cervical rhizolysis), making small incisions through which a probe is inserted that will be placed near the nerve to be treated. .
X-rays or ultrasound are used to position the needle or probe correctly in the specific nerve(s) to be treated. Generally this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, but the application of sedation is possible when it does not make the surgical procedure difficult.
Before beginning denervation, the spine doctor will perform a series of tests to ensure that the needle is optimally positioned for treat the nerve that causes the pain. This technique is outpatient and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Is rhizolysis painful?
Rhizolysis is a minimally invasive surgery and during which there is usually no pain. You may feel slight discomfort when performing the punctures. To avoid the sensation of pain when making these incisions, a local anesthetic is usually used. The patient will commonly feel tingling during the procedure.
Recovery and downtime after rhizolysis
The rhizolysis is an outpatient procedureTherefore, after the intervention the patient must have a brief period of rest in the clinic under the supervision of a professional and then can return home. It is recommended that after surgery and in the following days (usually 4 or 5 days) the patient does not perform activities that require physical effort.
It is common that after the intervention the patient feels some type of pain, numbness or tingling in the area where the procedure was performed. If the pain lasts over time, you should consult with the professional who performed the surgery.
Puncture injuries do not require further postoperative care. Your doctor will tell you how to clean the wounds to avoid infections and, if you feel pain, what analgesic to use or, if possible, the application of ice or heat to relieve discomfort.
Although some patients notice the benefits of rhizolysis immediately after the intervention, but in most cases the effects will be felt after one or two weeks. Over time the effects of this intervention may reduce and it may be necessary to perform it again, although this does not mean that the surgery has not been successful.
For which lesions is it recommended to treat with rhizolysis?
Rhizolysis treatment is indicated only in cases of chronic neck pain. vertebral joint injuries and of facet origin, its application is not possible in the nerves that go from the spine to the extremities, the pain to be combated must be local and without nerve compression (it is differentiated by the loss of strength or changes in sensitivity or in the reflexes). Since nerves regenerate over time, this alternative should be done as a last option.
It is essential that before considering rhizolysis, all the necessary diagnostic tests are performed to rule out any other type of injury that does not originate in the facet joints.
One of the necessary tests is carried out through a application or infiltration of anesthetic into the joint. In this way, if the pain originates in the facet joints, it should disappear completely or be reduced by a large percentage.
Many professionals will perform this diagnostic test more than once to ensure that it is of facet origin. Sometimes a placebo is injected into the patient to ensure that the pain loss effect is produced by the anesthetic.
If you suffer from chronic pain, the most correct option is to go to a spine specialist who can offer you a complete medical study of the area and the most recommended treatment according to your pathology. Book a private appointment with our traumatologists specializing in advanced spinal endoscopy and improve your quality of life.
34 thoughts on “Operación mediante rizólisis: qué es y cómo se realiza”
Good afternoon, I would like to know if it helps relieve spinal pain between the L and S... what does it consist of? how much does it cost? Does social work cover it? thank you.
Good morning, Mariela.
Thanks for your comment. To answer your questions, it would be necessary for you to send a message to our trauma team through the link provided.
All the best.
What is the cost of this facet rhizolysis procedure?
Good morning, Mariana.
Thanks for your interest. To offer you an exact quote on the rhizolysis operation, contact our team. Madrid traumatologists through the link provided.
All the best.
I would like to know, in addition to anesthesia to check the pain point, what product is used later to perform rhizolysis so that it is long-lasting.
Hello alba,
Thanks for commenting on our blog. Good morning, Mariela.
Thanks for your comment. To answer your question, we recommend that you contact our team directly. spinal traumatologists through the link provided.
All the best.
I have had 2 rhizolysis and I have not improved. What solution do I have, due to chronic low back pain with loss of strength in the lower extremities? In an electromyogram, I was diagnosed with plexopathy and radiculopathy. Thank you.
Good morning Angels.
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. We recommend that you consult with a spine specialist so that they can study your case exhaustively and determine the most appropriate treatment for your pathology. You can make an appointment with our spinal traumatologists in the link provided.
All the best.
It is not necessary to put any comments because you do not answer any of them, you refer us to the specialist, for that it is not necessary to put questionnaires that do not resolve the uncertainties that we have
Good morning, Rachel.
We are sorry that your perception of our blog is this way. Our traumatologists cannot offer a medical diagnosis without first studying the patient's condition (the corresponding medical tests must be performed). Therefore, in these cases it will always be necessary to go to our clinic.
On the other hand, we do answer general questions about traumatology and orthopedics, which are not related to a specific clinical case.
All the best.
You do not respond to any comments, you only referred to your traumatologists.
Hello Felisa,
In some cases, what we recommend is going directly to a trauma consultation, since a prior diagnosis is required before starting specific treatment.
All the best
You don't respond to anything, I don't know why you are there, they laugh at people
Hello Keta, how are you? The truth is that what you say is not true, we take a lot of time to respond to everything we can through the different channels (web, social networks, YouTube...), but in medical matters, when we cannot give an accurate diagnosis the best answer is to visit a specialist; However, when there is a specific question to which we can guarantee the answer we do so immediately, and so you can check it throughout the blog. Greetings and hope everything goes very well.
Good morning,
Very interesting and explanatory article.
I had rhizolysis done 1 week ago. I usually ride a road bike (not MTB) and until that intervention I was doing 200-250km per week, 2-3 routes/week. I don't do series or workouts like a professional, I'm a cyclist and I go out for fun at a comfortable pace, without pushing more than necessary. I had rhizolysis done for having chronic pain/discomfort due to lumbar protrusions, to eliminate that discomfort, but I was leading a normal life without "problems." My surprise was when, speaking with the orthopedic surgeon 4 days after the intervention, he told me that I should not do sports until 6 weeks after the intervention. Just walks/walks and if anything, a stationary bike. That is normal?? Until that intervention, I repeat, I was leading a normal life, doing sports without any unusual back problems. And now I have to stop suddenly when reading about this intervention, nowhere does it say that you should not live a normal life, quite the opposite. That it is convenient to exercise, not stand still.
Thank you so much
Good morning Emilio,
Thank you for visiting our blog.
We recommend you go to our >Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery, where we can study the affected area and offer you a complete diagnosis of it.
All the best.
Well, what a response you've given Antonio.
Just ask if you can do sports after rhizotomy.
And you don't even know how to answer him
You act the same way at the clinic.
Hello Pepa,
We regret that we cannot provide more detailed information without knowing the patient.
After a rhizotomy, it is important to follow the instructions of the doctor who performed the procedure. Generally, it is recommended to wait a while before resuming exercise, starting with low-impact activities and gradually increasing. It is always best to consult directly with your doctor to ensure that it is safe to resume sports. Without an evaluation of the patient we cannot provide further information.
Greetings
Today they did rhizolysis on me. During the treatment, I understood the pain in my arm for less than 10 minutes, but then they smiled and asked me, does it hurt? I answered that it hurts a lot. They said it was normal, and I asked for more sedation, but no, they had me. What to ask. After the intervention, at home there was immense pain for more than three hours like stabbing knives. They didn't want to take ibuprofen because I have another test next week with this equipment. Finally it left me, I took a strong anti-inflammatory and it went away. It has begun to calm down. My question is if this pain, a bad practice, is normal.
Thank you so much
Hi carmen,
Rhizolysis is still a procedure through which branches that carry pain sensitivity are damaged or injured. Sometimes, even if the procedure is carried out correctly, the body does not respond as expected. But each case must be studied specifically and other causes of pain must be seen. The ideal is to take anti-inflammatories or analgesics, consulting your responsible doctor in advance.
All the best.
Hello
They are going to do a rhizoklsis in approximately 15 days
Is it necessary to stop taking sintron or do I continue with the treatment???
Thank you
Hello AGP,
That will depend on what your doctor and cardiologist tell you. We do not know why you take it or the degree of aggressiveness you will be subjected to, which is why it is necessary that you consult this type of data with the doctor who will perform the test and your cardiologist.
A hug.
Good morning, an acquaintance told me about this procedure and I wanted to know if, in addition to spinal pain, it is applicable to hip pain for someone who does not have a hip replacement because he is diabetic and because of this and significant osteoarthritis is in wheelchair and cannot walk, and his body is deforming,
thank you so much
Hello Rosa Maria,
It could be valued perfectly. We do it, but it depends on each case.
Greetings
Is the local anesthetic applied to the spinal cord?
Is it possible to request a general anesthesia?
Thank you very much for your efforts and your response.
Greetings Roland BRIEL
Hello Roland,
For this type of intervention, local anesthesia is usually used.
Greetings
A week ago I had a Risolysis in L4 L5, I have pain practically like before doing it, it is normal when I will know if it takes effect and I will notice improvement
Hello Rosy,
We cannot give you an answer without knowing your case in detail.
We recommend that you follow the indicated rehabilitation to the letter to achieve a faster and better recovery.
Greetings
Good afternoon, I have had three rhizolysis performed, and this third one a week ago, my leg continues to hurt and discomfort down to the foot, I understand that in a few weeks I will notice improvement in the sciatic nerve, is that correct?
Hello Jordi,
It is normal that after the intervention you will feel some type of pain and tingling in the area. If it lasts too long, consult your doctor.
Greetings
Hello,
My question is that if I have only one kidney and this only kidney has kidney failure, I am prohibited from taking anti-inflammatories. Can I have rhizolysis?
Thank you
Hello Matilde,
We lack information about your case to be able to give you instructions.
You can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
I had rhizolysis and I still have pain in my left leg, which was operated on in the ankle, wearing 3 anchors. Because???
Hello Monse,
It would be necessary to review how the surgery went and how the recovery is going.
Greetings