What is rhizotomy?

Rhizotomy is a surgery in which several roots of the backbone are interrupted to solve disorders in these roots that cause health problems. This procedure can also be known as selective rear rhizotomy or selective dorsal rhizotomy. It is performed by a neurosurgeon in the hospital, and after surgery it is usually necessary to stay in the hospital to give the patient the opportunity to recover in a hospital environment before being released to go home.

There are a number of reasons to perform rhizotomy. One of the most common reasons is spasticity, such as the spastic brain. Spasticity occurs when the muscles involuntarily withdraw. It can cause joint contracts, pain, difficulty and other problems. When rhizotomy is performed to interrupt the nerve roots, it solves the spasticity and gives the patient more control of her movement.

Another reason is pain. If other techniques do the treatment of pain, the doctor can deal with the BolEST at its source, a dysfunctional nerves that broadcast the wrong signals and say the brain that there is something painful. This procedure can also be used to treat some types of hypertension.

In the rhizotomy procedure, the patient is anesthetic and placed down on the table. The neurosurgeon opens a small cut in the area of ​​interest to reveal the nerve roots. The nerve roots are separated and electrically stimulated to find nerves that do not work properly. After identifying the disgrace nerves, the surgeon can interrupt them so that they no longer send signals. In radiofrequency rhizotomy, nerve roots are burned to prevent them from carrying signals.

After rhizotomy, the patient may experience weakness. In the case of a procedure for treatment of spasticity, the weakness of the common apartment needs physical therapy for the development of strength and tone in the muscles. Other side effects of rhizotomy include temporary armor and odd feelings on the limbs thatEré is usually postponed after six to eight weeks.

There are some risks for this procedure. Anesthesia itself may be risky for patients and patients are also at risk of unintentionally nerve damage, paralysis and permanent weakness. Loss of bladder or intestine control and increased risk of hip dislocations are also potential rhizotomy risks. When deciding whether the procedure is appropriate or not, the patient should talk to the surgeon to fully informed about the risks, and it is advisable to ask the surgeon about his experience and success in patients.