Phillis
08-24-2003, 08:43 AM
Has anyone here had a rhizotomy procedure done to help with neuropathic pain? One of my doctors has suggested it to me and I just wondered if it really works. I've found a lot of information here on the DREZ procedure but not much on the rhizotomy procedure. Thanks.
Wise Young
08-24-2003, 08:40 PM
Phillis,
Rhizotomies are not commonly used for pain relief for several reasons. First, it severely compromises sensation. Second, rhizotomies by themselves can cause neuropathic pain because it removes afferent input to the spinal cord and deafferentation is believed to be one of the main causes of neuropathic pain. Third, the DREZ procedure works much better than rhizotomies.
DREZ, as you know, involves destruction of the dorsal root entry zone where most of the pain sensing neurons of the spinal cord reside. When these neurons lose afferent activity, they frequently become overactive and send signals to the brain indicating pain (or other abnormal sensations). DREZ destroys these neurons without completely removing all the sensory input at that segment.
Wise.