Cervical Rhizotomy Procedure

I'm in Orlando Florida and dealing with the same issue. How did your procedure at C3 C4 go? Can you email me the contact info for the Dr. who helped you?

Good to hear some positive feedback. I am undergoing a Rhizotomy next week and am very nervous when I read all the negative feedback. My neck is almost totally fused, two levels by fusion and the rest has happened naturally. The procedure will be at C2/3 and C6/7. My surgeon is doing it under general anaesthetic and I'm quite happy about that! Please can someone give me some really good news about their experience!

Minneapolis area? Just be glad you didn't get injected with fungus.

Dear Kirk1775, Thank you for your service. I just want to say how glad I am that you are doing so well.

I was on this board today to see what to expect the first few weeks after lower back rhizotomy (had it yesterday), and your post touched me.

Enjoy being a dad and I hope you are through the worst of it.

I am so overwhelmed reading what people posting here have been through. I've had 9 months of lower back pain and I feel desperate. My heart and prayers go out to you all. It can be hard to find an ethical pain specialist who really wants to get you well no matter what. I finally did and am very grateful to at least have that advocate and someone trying to get to the bottom of my pain. They are out there!

Who is your doctor?

Dr Nicholas Fuller with Specislty Surgery Center

Dr Nicholas Fuller with Specislty Surgery Center

i have a question I am concerned about. I had cervical rhizotomy procedure done three times by my first doctor and he always done it on my left side of my neck. That doctor retired and a new doctor did the cervical rhizotomy procedure today but he went in the back of my neck. Which way is a better procedure?

I have dealt with cervical and lumbar pain for 15+ years. I started with pain management in 2010. They started with epidural injections. Then once they had all my scans and emg results they decided to try Rhizotomies. I have had my lumbar region done and cervical region done several times. They last me a good 10-12 months. I have minimal amount of new pain from having the procedure done but that goes away in about 10 days then I am left with a residual sunburn feeling that lasts about 3 weeks. Then after all that subsides I do get about 70% relief for almost a year. I would do it again and again cuz it does cut down on my pain severity.

Did you get better. I just experienced similar symptoms from my 2nd rhyzodmy left side

3 years ago went to specialist with chronic back pain.after MRI and CT scan said my spinal cord in my neck was twisted due to some injury I had at a young age.well I had surgery and a plate and 6 screws put into my neck.after the surgery I couldn't walk for 6 months..and still the chronic back pain that I went to see him for in the first place..3 years down the line I've had a facet joint block on 6 levels and a Rhizotomy and I'm worse off now than I've ever been.chronic back pain, no feeling in my left leg, dead fingers in both hands and burning feet all day every day.headaches galore..I won't mention how much this complete failure costed

I had a cervical rhizotomy done two months ago and I received fentanyl and versed during the procedure. This did nothing as the pain during the procedure was so great 3 nurses had to hold me down as I was crying and screaming. I am a tough person and have never done this during a procedure. It felt like I was set on fire after gas was poured on me. I've had 5 major surgeries on my abdomen with 70 Staples and that awful pain was no where near this pain!!! I still have alot of pain mainly my arm , neck and left part of back and also migraines. It has helped 0%. Never will I go through that again !!! Was not worth it and I do believe I now need more meds for increased pain.

Hi. I can't really give accurate testimony regarding my RFA yet as I just had it done bi-laterally 3 days ago. However, prior to having the procedure done, my ortho did the preliminary test with the pain block on the nerves on my right side 2 weeks ago. When I came in to have the RFA done, I asked how long the test usually lasts and he said it varies according to the individual. It may only last that day, it may last weeks. Mine lasted but was slowly fading until just a couple days before the procedure.
It was also explained to me the pain I would feel after the procedure and the fact that it could last 2-4 weeks, give or take, as the nerves healed and that some of it would be sort of like "phantom" pain such as one who lost a limb might experience with the feeling that the limb was still there.
Everything he's told me since I've been in his care has been accurate with every treatment he's provided and attempted in order to help me since the accident that destroyed my neck in September. The other choices I have left to me are seeing a spinal surgeon and undergoing cervical spine surgery, going to chronic pain management and being drugged indefinitely, or trying to find a way to live with it.
I took my chances with the RFA. Yes, I'm in a sh*t ton of pain now, as he said I would be, but I'm also expecting that in a couple of weeks it will improve and I will actually be able to do things like pick up my grandchildren, turn my head to see what's going on around me, look up at a beautiful sunset, etc again... Even if just for a year before I have to go through the procedure again. Even if all I do is buy myself some time before having to go under the knife, I'm good with that. I'm at no more risk of paralyzation than I would be in that surgical procedure, and far less post-procedural pain. Believe me, my wife had cervical spine surgery. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. And here it is, 2 years later, it turns out it never fully healed. She's not a candidate for another surgery and the only procedure they can offer her at this point is a rhizotomy. She saw the relief my test gave me. Her first words when I got in the car after my RFA were "I'm actually kinda jealous". I believe this procedure will help me. Maybe it's just a matter of who performs the procedure... I know my doctor is one of the best in the area... But I trust in him. I hope people don't just read the negative rwviews and decide against something that can better their way of life, because unfortunately the world is full of too much negativity and not enough people who have positive things to say bother to speak up and say them, but those who don't make sure their voices are heard. Whatever you decide, make sure you make the decision you feel is best for you based on what YOU feel. Do your research. Listen to your doctors. Ask your questions. Get multiple opinions. And if you can, ask opinions of people you actually KNOW, not some strangers online. I'm not questioning the credibility of any on here, but there could be more to their issues than what's in the info you're given. There could be other underlying issues or complications. And some people are just prone to bitching as well.
No matter your decision, I wish you the beat of luck and hope you find the best treatment and what works for you

Who is your Doctor here in texas? I also am getting ready for a rhizotomy next week and paranoid.

Hi Lynn, just stumble on your post . I know it was a year ago but have you gotten better? I had cervical rhazotomy 21/2 weeks ago. It has been horrible since then . For one week my whole left side on scalp and ear lobe was completely numb. As the numbness got better the pain stared in a very strong way. Stabbing, burning, pulling ... dr said a very deep muscle has spam around cervical plexus nerve . Put me in neurontin that I feel I am a zombie on but I am not crying in pain at least .