Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Lumbar Facets
Overview
During this minimally-invasive procedure, the physician uses heat from radio waves to treat painful facet joints in your lower back. This procedure is also called radiofrequency rhizotomy. It can treat pain that doesn’t respond to medications or to physical therapy.
Preparation
In preparation for the procedure, you lie on your stomach. You are given medicine to make you feel relaxed. The skin and tissue of your back is numbed.
Inserting the Cannula
The physician inserts a tube called a “cannula.” A video x-ray device called a “fluoroscope” helps guide the cannula to the medial branch nerves in your spine. These tiny nerves carry pain signals from your facet joints to your brain.
Treating the Nerves
The physician inserts an electrode through the cannula. A weak electric jolt is used to test its position. If the jolt recreates the pain but does not cause any other muscular effects, it is positioned correctly. Then the physician uses the electrode to heat the nerve. This disrupts its ability to transmit pain signals. Several nerves may be treated if necessary.
End of Procedure
When the procedure is complete, the electrode and cannula are removed. A small bandage is placed on your skin. You will be monitored for a brief time before you are allowed to go home. Your injection site may feel sore after the procedure, and you may still have back pain. If the correct nerves were treated, you will gradually experience pain relief as you heal. This may take several weeks. Your relief may last for several months.
What Our Patients are Saying
Dr. Muhammad was professional, knowledgeable and seemed to genuinely care about finding a solution to my pain problem.
Dr. Rasheed has been a wonderful doctor so far. He’s very professional and confident. He has had a ton if ideas for us to try, which is completely different from my last pain mgt. doc. So far, he’s been everything I could have asked in a pain mgt. doctor.
I love Dr. Abdelfattah! He is an amazing doctor. He has an excellent beside manner, and her Is very interested and concerned about his patients, and their diagnosis, and he is able to empathize with his patients. He is very skilled at preforming minimally invasive procedures that can really reduce pain. He is NOT a pill mill, but he is NOT scared to prescribe what the patient may need to be comfortable and to reduce pain. As far as I can tell the Pain Management Clinic is in full compliance with the State medical board’s guidelines on Pain Management Clinics. I would send anyone who is seeking relief from their pain to him because he is going to do his very best to find out what is causing the pain, and the best way to treat it. Truly an AWESOME doctor!!! I nominate him as a TOP DOCTOR!!! Being a healthcare professional I know a good physician when I see one and this one is it!!!!
Staff was amazing, tell you what they think and give you options and really wants to know the underlined cause before they do anything. I think that’s awesome and will recommend to anyone!!!
Everyone was so nice. Dr. Zhao explained things to me in a way I could understand everything. She had a smile on her face the whole time. It was like she was happy to see me. I really liked how the appointment turned out.
Dr. Syed listens to me & gives me hope for conquering this constant pain of neuropathy. He is open to new methods of treating my constant pain.
Super place, super doctors. Took the time to explain everything to me.