LUMBAR FACET RHIZOTOMY

Back pain can be due to arthritis in the facet joints. To help determine if this is the cause, patients can receive a specific type of spinal cortisone injection. If this relieves the pain temporarily, this suggests that a facet rhizotomy may provide more durable back pain relief. During a facet rhizotomy, the nerve to the facet joints are burned so they stop sending pain signals to the brain. 

Dr. Mendelsohn performs lumbar spine facet rhitozotomies in carefully selected patients.