Neck and back pain often arises from the small joints in the spine called facet joints or zygapophysial joints, which occur in pairs at each level in the spine. Osteoarthris in the facet joints causes pain similar to arthritis in knees and hips. This can be due to degeneration associated with aging, due to an injury such as whiplash or can occur because of mechanical stress associated with disc degeneration. Facet joint blocks can determine which joint is the source of the spine pain.
Rhizotomy is also called radiofrequency neurotomy. It uses an electric current to cauterize nerves that transmit pain from the joint to the brain. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is very effective at relieving pain from the facet joints or the sacroiliac joints. A needle called a cannula is inserted onto the nerves under x-ray guidance. An electrode is passed into the needle and an electric current is generated that heats the tissue around the tip of the needle, which damages the nerve and prevents the transmission of pain. The procedure is done under local anesthetic. It usually relieves the pain for a year or more and can be repeated if the pain recurs.
Facet Joint Syndrome
Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy
Radiofrequency Neurotomy of lumbar facet joints