A Cervical, Thoracic, or Lumbar Rhizotomy is a procedure that destroys facet nerves by using heat generated by radio-frequency energy to treat chronic pain and allow you to return to your daily activities.

Below are links to specific patient information and frequently asked questions found on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

   Will I be conscious during the procedure?
   Will this procedure be painful?
   Can I drive right after the procedure?
   Is there pain after the procedure?
   Why is a Rhizotomy helpful?
   Am I a candidate for Facet Rhizotomy?
   What will happen during the procedure?

Frequently Asked Questions...

Will I be conscious during the procedure?

You will be consciously sedated with IV medication for the procedure. This will help to relax you and ease the pain. You need to be able to communicate with the doctor what you are feeling during the procedure.

Unlike surgery, there is no incision and the procedure is not particularly painful. A local anesthetic and a mild sedative are used before the procedure to reduce any discomfort during treatment.

Both the anesthetic and the sedative will affect our ability to drive for 24 hours following the procedure.

You may experience some discomfort at the site of Radiofrequency Lesioning. However, this discomfort usually subsides and can be treated with medication during this short period of time. Most people can return to work one or two days after the procedure*.

The radiofrequency lesioning used in a Rhizotomy procedure is a safe, proven means of effectively providing lasting relief from chronic pain. Pain relief usually lasts for 3-12 months depending on the individual.

If you have chronic pain, only your physician can decide whether this procedure is right for you. Your physician may use nerve blocks to see if you might respond to Radiofrequency Lesioning.

An IV will be started so that relaxation and pain medicine can be given. You will lie on your side or stomach and your skin will be cleansed. Next, the doctor will numb a small area of skin with a local anesthetic, which may sting for a few seconds.

Then Dr Iyengar will stimulate the nerves near the tip of the needle to make sure it is correctly placed. When the correct site has been found, Radiofrequency Lesioning treatment will begin.

During treatment, a Radiofrequency Generator transmits a small radiofrequency current through the insulated needle to disrupt the specific nerve sending pain signals to your brain. More than one area may need to be treated to achieve optimal pain relief.

Lumbar spine showing several injection points for Facet Rhizotomy.

Fluoroscopy Suite

Pre-Op and Recovery Area

What You Need to Know Before Your Appointment

• Please bring all X-rays, MRI films, etc. with you on the day of the procedure.

• DO NOT eat any solid food for at least 6 hours and DO NOT drink any liquid for at least 4 hours prior to your appointment.

• Take your routine medication. You may have small sips of water to take your medication. Please note the Medication guidelines covered below.

• You will need someone to come with you and to drive you home. You will not be able to drive for 24 hours following the procedure.

• Please wear clean, loose fitting clothing such as sweats. You will be wearing these during the procedure. Belt buckles and buttons could interfere with the X-rays.

Seven (7) days before your procedure please stop taking the following medications (if applicable):

• Arthrotec
• Toradol
• Ibuprofen
• Anaprox
• Relafen
• Advil
• Naproxen
• Feldene
• Voltaren
• Indocin
• Percodan
• Motrin

All Aspirin products including: Baby aspirin, Bufferin, Excedrin, Anacin, Asciptin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Midol, Pepto-Bismol, Sine-Off, Sine-Aid IB, Nuprin, Dristan Sinus, Orgaran, Persantine, Aggrenox, and all pain or arthritis herbals (i.e. ginko biloba, feverfen, ginger.)

Please call our office IMMEDIATELY if you are taking any of the following medications: Levenox, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid.

Do not take your insulin or oral anti-diabetic agents on the day of the procedure. You may eat and take your diabetic medications AFTER the procedure.

Please drink plenty of WATER the day before your procedure.