Four Major Signs You Might Be an Endoscopic Rhizotomy Candidate
Chronic back or neck pain can limit movement, disrupt sleep, and reduce quality of life. If physical therapy, pain medication, or injections have failed to bring long-term pain relief, you may be an endoscopic rhizotomy candidate. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure targets specific nerve endings that send pain signals from the spine.
At Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics, our Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialists help patients with confirmed facet joint pain find lasting relief without major surgery.
You’ve Experienced Only Temporary Relief from Other Treatments
Many patients consider endoscopic rhizotomy after trying other methods that fail to provide lasting pain relief.
Conservative Treatments Have Reached Their Limit
If physical therapy, pain medication, or chiropractic adjustments have not stopped your pain, you may be dealing with facet-mediated pain. These conservative treatments may offer temporary pain relief, but they do not address the root cause. When pain continues for more than six weeks, especially in the lower back or neck, you may be a good candidate for endoscopic rhizotomy.
Diagnostic Medial Branch Blocks Showed Positive Results
Patients who respond to a medial branch block procedure may be eligible for the endoscopic rhizotomy procedure. A medial branch block uses a local anesthetic to test whether your pain comes from the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. If you experience pain relief from this injection, it suggests the nerves are sending pain signals and may be the source of your chronic back pain.
Other Procedures Did Not Deliver Long-Term Relief
You may have already tried treatments like radiofrequency ablation or percutaneous radiofrequency without success. These methods can work for some patients, but results often fade over time. Compared to these options, endoscopic rhizotomy offers significant advantages for long-lasting pain relief by directly targeting the problematic nerve endings through a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
Pain Continues Despite Multiple Approaches
If you have persistent back pain or neck pain despite injections, medications, or physical therapy, your condition may require a more direct solution. An Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialist can determine whether this minimally invasive spinal surgery is the next step. The entire procedure is done through a small incision with minimal blood loss and fast recovery, making it a strong option for patients suffering from chronic lower back pain.
You Have Confirmed Facet Joint Pain
Facet joint pain is a common cause of chronic back and neck pain, especially when other conditions have been ruled out.
Understanding Facet Joints and Their Role
Facet joints are small joints located between each vertebra. They help control movement and provide stability to the spine. When these joints become irritated or inflamed, they can send pain signals through the medial branch nerves to the spinal cord. This is known as facet mediated pain and is a common reason patients seek endoscopic rhizotomy.
Common Signs of Facet Joint Syndrome
Patients with facet joint syndrome often experience stiffness, tenderness, and pain during twisting or bending. Pain may increase during prolonged standing or after periods of inactivity. This pain is often located in the lower back or neck, depending on which facet joints are affected. If this pain pattern matches your symptoms, you may be a candidate for endoscopic rhizotomy.
Confirming the Source of Pain
Imaging tests and diagnostic medial branch blocks help confirm whether your pain is coming from the facet joints. If a medial branch block relieves your pain, it suggests the medial branch nerve is the source. This result indicates that endoscopic rhizotomy may be a suitable treatment to stop the nerve from sending pain signals.
Why Endoscopic Rhizotomy Works for Facet Joint Pain
An experienced Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialist can use a small incision to access and treat the nerve endings responsible for transmitting pain. The endoscopic rhizotomy procedure uses direct visualization to locate and ablate the dorsal ramus branch or lateral branch nerves near the affected joints. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure is designed to provide long-lasting pain relief with minimal recovery time.
You’re Seeking a Long-Term Solution Without Major Surgery
Patients who want to avoid invasive procedures often turn to endoscopic rhizotomy for lasting relief without the risks of traditional spinal surgeries.
Avoiding Spinal Fusion and Other Invasive Procedures
Spinal fusion and similar surgeries involve larger incisions, higher risks, and longer recovery times. These procedures may require hospital stays and carry a greater chance of complications. In contrast, endoscopic rhizotomy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses a small incision and causes minimal blood loss.
How the Procedure Works
The endoscopic rhizotomy procedure uses a metal tube inserted through a tiny incision to access the affected medial branch nerves. An endoscopic camera allows the specialist to see the nerve endings clearly. The nerve is then ablated so it no longer sends pain signals. This method targets the source of pain without damaging surrounding structures.
Recovery Is Fast and Low Risk
The entire procedure is usually completed under local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Patients return home the same day. Most resume normal activities within a few days. There is no need for a hospital stay. This approach reduces discomfort and eliminates the long downtime often required after spinal surgeries.
A Better Option for Long-Term Pain Relief
Endoscopic rhizotomy compared to traditional surgery offers significant advantages. It is less invasive and provides long-lasting pain relief for patients suffering from facet joint pain or chronic lower back pain. If you are looking for a solution that avoids major surgery, an experienced Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialist can help you decide if you are a good candidate.
You’ve Responded Positively to Diagnostic Nerve Blocks
A successful response to diagnostic medial branch blocks is one of the strongest signs you may be a candidate for endoscopic rhizotomy.
How Medial Branch Blocks Help Identify Pain Sources
A medial branch block is an injection of local anesthetic near the medial branch nerves. These nerves carry pain signals from the facet joints to the spinal cord. If the injection stops the pain, even temporarily, it confirms the nerves are involved. This test helps pinpoint the exact nerve branches causing the problem.
Temporary Pain Relief Confirms the Diagnosis
Patients who experience temporary pain relief after the block are likely dealing with facet-mediated pain. The relief may last a few hours or a couple of days. This short-term result indicates that the facet joints are the source of pain and that endoscopic rhizotomy could provide long-term relief.
Endoscopic Rhizotomy Targets the Same Nerves
The rhizotomy procedure targets the same medial branch nerves identified during the block. Using a minimally invasive technique, the nerve endings are ablated to stop them from sending pain signals. The goal is to move from short-term pain relief to a long-lasting solution.
Who May Not Be a Candidate
Not every patient benefits from the diagnostic block. If the injection does not reduce pain, the facet joints may not be the cause. Other signs, such as fever, vomiting, redness at the injection site, or weakness, may indicate other issues. In these cases, an Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialist may recommend further testing or different treatments.
Ready to Explore Treatment Options With Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics?
Speak with our team at Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics to learn if you qualify as an endoscopic rhizotomy candidate. Our Atlanta endoscopic rhizotomy specialists will review your history, imaging, and diagnostic block results to create a clear, customized plan.
Schedule an appointment with us at 678-929-4494 today!
