Rhizolysis - a treatment to relieve the pain of a herniated disc

Rhizolysis – or radiofrequency lesioning - is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of both cranial and spinal pain. Rhizolysis involves applying radiofrequency heat to the root or nerve roots affected to damage the nerve and eliminate or minimise lumbar pain or neck pain. It can be used as a treatment for all patients with cervical, dorsal or lumbar pain resulting from the degeneration of the facet joint. Evident improvement is seen in patients in 70-90% of cases.

What is the rhizolysis procedure?

Rhizolysis is a short process, where you will be allowed to leave the clinic around 30 minutes after finishing the procedure, taking only around 3 hours in total.

After detecting the exact position of the nerve in the facet joint using x-ray imaging, a local anaesthetic will be administered. The rhizolysis probe will be injected via a small needle, and once in position, will be heated to burn away part of the nerve and reduce the pain signals sent.

Minimal risks and immediate return to everyday life

The side effects of rhizolysis are minimal or practically non-existent in the cases in which this technique can be applied. The only risk is a puncture infection or bruising, but in all patients who have been treated, the beneficial effects are always greater than the possible side effects. Rhizolysis is a technique that can be repeated, with results improving each time, prolonging the period of reduced or eliminated pain.

Patients can continue their normal daily lifestyle immediately after the treatment as no hospitalisation is required and only local anaesthetic is needed.
 

For more information about rhizolysis, make an appointment with a specialist.