What to Expect With a Rhizotomy Procedure

Rhizotomy is a neurosurgical procedure whereby a sensory nerve is ablated or cut near its entry into the spinal cord. The staff at Florida Surgery Consultants in Tampa would like residents of Florida to know that this procedure is safe and that it is used to selectively destroy problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord to alleviate symptoms related to neuromuscular conditions such as spastic cerebral palsy.

Sensory nerves responsible for touch, vibration and pressure sensations carry electrical signals from numerous parts of the body to the brain. Vexatious sensations are also transmitted to the brain by the sensory nerves, and there they are interpreted as pain. Intentional damage to these nerves barricades the signals to the brain, thus causing pain relief.

Conditions Treated by a Rhizotomy Procedure

Rhizotomy is used to deal with the following conditions:

  • Trigeminal neuralgia: The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting pain and other sensations from the facial area to the brain. Trigeminal neuralgia produces sudden, shooting, and sharp pain in the face and can be triggered when you chew or are exposed to cold. When other forms of medication and treatment for this condition fail, rhizotomy is prescribed.
  • Spinal pain: Numerous types of spinal pain can be treated with rhizotomy including:

o Chronic discoid back pain: Worn out discs in the lower spine can cause a compression of the nerves that arise from the spinal cord thus producing back pain.

o Pain in the neck: Arthritis can cause neck pain

o Spinal pain caused by cancers: Cancers of the back may affect the nerves and result in back pain.

  • Spasticity: Spasticity is a condition caused by an increase in muscle tone resulting in pain, and difficulty with balance and gait. It often affects children who have cerebral palsy.

Preparation for Rhizotomy

Your doctor will perform several tests to confirm your diagnosis and ensure that you will benefit from the rhizotomy procedure. For instance, if you suffer from spinal pain or trigeminal neuralgia, you may have to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test. You will also undergo numerous routine tests before surgery including:

  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests such as blood group and hemoglobin levels
  • Chest x-rays
  • ECG (electrocardiogram) to ensure your heart is functioning properly

For older patients, a thorough assessment of the heart may be done. Your doctor will direct you to cease taking blood thinners or aspirin a few days before the surgery. You will also be required to fast overnight before the procedure, and you may be given intravenous fluids to keep you hydrated. You may also be sedated for good overnight sleep before the procedure.

During the Procedure

Most rhizotomy procedures are performed under general anesthesia on an in-patient basis. You will lie face down, and the surgeon will make an incision along the lower spine to expose the sensory nerves at the center of your spinal cord. The doctor will then stimulate individual nerve rootlets using electrical signals. Since they are nerves, they should not stimulate muscle movement. Those that stimulate muscular movements (which are responsible for causing spasticity) are cut. Often, 25 to 50 percent of the tested nerve rootlets are cut.

Recovery after Rhizotomy

Once you are fully awake, you will be moved on a trolley to a recovery room where a nurse will observe you for about two hours before shifting you to the ward. You may feel a temporary insensitivity in the region that was affected by damaged nerves. You may then be discharged on the next day, but you will have to visit the hospital for check-ups as your doctor recommends.

Possible Risks and Complications of Rhizotomy

Although rare, numerous complications may arise after the rhizotomy procedure including:

  • Numbness and loss of sensation in the area served by the nerves. Damage to the trigeminal nerve may cause anesthesia dolorosa, and you may experience pain in the numb area and numbness in the face.
  • Difficulty in chewing if the surgery was done for trigeminal neuralgia
  • Spinal deformities such as excessive sideward or forward bending if laminectomy is done in children with cerebral palsy.
  • Meningitis: The meninges are membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain.
    Inflammation or infection of these membranes is called meningitis.
  • Bowel and bladder dysfunction.

Consult With A Surgeon Today!

Rhizotomy is beneficial for treating spasticity and other medical conditions. Although it bears some risks, its benefits far outweigh the risks involved. Before considering a rhizotomy procedure, contact board-certified specialists at the Florida Surgery Consultants in Tampa, FL as soon as possible to find out if you or your loved one is suitable for this form of treatment.

Schedule a Consultation Today