Lumbar Rhizotomy

What Is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is the body’s information network. It is composed of a vast interconnected web of fibrous nerve cells, called neurons, which communicate with one another using electrical impulses. These impulses carry information about sensory experiences, organ function, muscle movements, and more. If the nerve fibers are damaged, however, the flow of information is disrupted. Damaged neurons send incorrect signals or may even fail to transmit signals altogether.

What Is Lumbar Rhizotomy?

Lumbar rhizotomy is a procedure that addresses chronic pain in the lower back by destroying the nervous system’s ability to process it. It involves cutting through the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. By disrupting the signal, physicians can partially or fully eliminate pain for several years at a time.

What Does Endoscopic Lumbar Rhizotomy Treat?

Lumbar rhizotomy treats chronic pain in the lumbar spine, or lower back. It is a proven treatment for pain caused by nerve damage or impingement. It can also be used to treat other forms of pain by interrupting its signals. These functions make lumbar rhizotomy a good choice for the following:

• Lumbar myelopathy
• Lumbar radiculopathy
• Pinched lumbar nerve
• Lumbar stenosis
• Lumbar spondylosis (lower back arthritis)
• Lumbar herniated disc
• Lumbar slipped disc
• Lumbar spinal cord injury

When treating lower back pain, most physicians begin with conservative methods like rest, medication, or physical therapy. However, these don’t always provide relief. If the pain is severe, it may keep coming back despite treatment. For patients struggling with treatment-resistant pain, endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy may provide an effective and long-lasting solution.

Who Performs Endoscopic Lumbar Rhizotomy at NU-Spine?

All surgical procedures at NU-Spine are performed by Branko Skovrlj, MD. Dr. Skovrlj is a top neurosurgeon in New Jersey and one of the few to focus exclusively on spine surgeries. His expertise includes a wide range of treatment procedures. His special area of interest, however, is in minimally invasive procedures like lumbar rhizotomy. He routinely contributes to efforts to improve these methods and make them available for a broader range of conditions.

Not only is Dr. Skovrlj a talented surgeon, but patients also find him approachable. He treats them with compassion and respect, getting to know them as individuals with unique lives and aspirations. This makes it easier to trust him with sensitive subjects like spine pain and its treatments.

How Is Endoscopic Lumbar Rhizotomy Done?

Endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy takes place at NU-Spine’s state-of-the-art facilities in New Jersey. It is most often performed with general anesthesia, meaning that patients are asleep while Dr. Skovrlj is at work. Once the anesthesia kicks in, the surgeon follows these steps:

1. Dr. Skovrlj makes a tiny incision near the target section of the lower back.
2. He uses a set of tubular retractors to gently pull apart soft tissue, creating a clear path to the problematic nerve without cutting.
3. A small camera called an endoscope is inserted into the opening. The endoscope provides a real-time video feed to help Dr. Skovrlj work with greater precision.
4. Dr. Skovrlj uses the endoscope’s feedback to guide him toward the problematic nerve.
5. He may activate the nerve with a gentle electrical impulse to ensure that he has selected the correct one before he operates.
6. Dr. Skovrlj uses precise surgical tools to sever the nerve fibers.
7. He removes the tools and closes the incision with sutures or stitches.

Endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy is a fairly quick procedure that typically takes less than an hour to complete. Once Dr. Skovrlj is done, the patient is taken to a recovery room where they can wake up from anesthesia. The patient can go home as soon as they are awake, and nurses confirm that the procedure was successful.

Recovery from Endoscopic Lumbar Rhizotomy

Some pain, swelling, or bruising is normal after lumbar rhizotomy. This is caused by the tools used to complete the procedure and will go away after a few days. Keeping the incision site clean and protected is crucial to prevent infection. Otherwise, there is no extended recovery after lumbar rhizotomy. Most patients go back to normal activities within a few days to a week after their procedure.

Results from Endoscopic Lumbar Rhizotomy

For most patients, lumbar rhizotomy provides lasting relief. The nerve pain is nearly or completely eliminated, allowing patients to get back to their active lifestyles. They sleep better at night, take fewer medications, and can participate in their favorite hobbies. The pain relief lasts for several years. If the nerve starts to regrow and pain returns, the patient may speak with Dr. Skovrlj about getting a second rhizotomy or other lumbar procedure.

Lumbar rhizotomy is a minimally invasive procedure. This means that Dr. Skovrlj uses precise tools, like tubular retractors and an endoscope, to operate through the smallest incision possible. The aim of minimally invasive surgery is to reduce the amount of cutting required. With less surgical stress, patients can look forward to a faster and easier recovery.

Find Lower Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Patients who struggle with treatment-resistant nerve pain can transform their lives with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. We are a surgical center with locations near you across New Jersey where we offer state-of-the-art spine treatments, including lumbar rhizotomy. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment and find out whether rhizotomy is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lumbar Rhizotomy

What is endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy?

Endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy is a minimally invasive treatment for lower back pain. The procedure involves specialized tools to work through the smallest incision possible, to sever nerve fibers and disrupt pain signals. This keeps the signals from reaching the brain, effectively eliminating chronic pain caused by a wide variety of conditions.

Who is a good candidate for lumbar rhizotomy?

Lumbar rhizotomy is not the first line of defense for chronic back pain. Instead, it is most often recommended for patients who have tried conservative treatments without finding relief.

What conditions can lumbar rhizotomy provide relief from?

Lumbar rhizotomy can provide pain relief from conditions like lumbar myelopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar stenosis, pinched lumbar nerve, lumbar spondylosis, and more.