Thoracic Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy - Upper Back

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Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy (facet rhizotomy) is used to treat nerve pain in the upper back after other forms of treatment have failed.  The procedure “turns off” the specific nerve that carries information about pain.  The treatment provides pain relief for about a year, but can last much longer for some people.

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Introduction

Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy (facet rhizotomy) is used to treat nerve pain in the upper back after other forms of treatment have failed.  The procedure “turns off” the specific nerve that carries information about pain.  The treatment provides pain relief for about a year, but can last much longer for some people.

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Anatomy

The thoracic  spine is located in your chest area.  Twelve bones (vertebrae) make up the thoracic spine.  A pair of stabilizing facet joints connects the bones together.  The opening in the center of each bone forms the spinal canal. 

Your spinal cord is located within the protective spinal canal.  The spinal cord extends from the brain and is a major part of your nervous system.  Spinal nerves extend from the spinal cord and travel out of the spine to exchange nerve signals with your brain about specific parts of your body.  In particular, the medial nerves carry nerve signals about facet joint pain.
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Causes

Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy is used to “turn off” the specific medial nerve that carries information about facet joint pain.  The facet joints are vulnerable to “wear and tear” that can lead to abnormal growths (bone spurs), enlarged joints, and osteoarthritis, a degenerative form of arthritis.  This may be termed “facet joint disease” or “facet joint syndrome.”
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Symptoms

Facet joint disease causes pain in the upper back that may spread to your ribs and chest.  Your upper back may have powerful muscle spasms, so strong that the facet joints are moved out of position. 
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Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine you and conduct tests to determine if you have facet joint disease.  Imaging tests, lab tests, and nerve studies may be used to provide your doctor with more information.  Injection studies are used to identify if a specific nerve is conducting the pain signals.  Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy is used after other forms of treatment have failed to provide relief.  Your doctor will let you know if thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy is a treatment option for you.
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Treatment

Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat to create a lesion on the medial nerve.  The lesion impairs the medial nerve’s ability to transmit signals about facet joint pain.  Because the nerve is “turned off,” pain is not felt.  

A thoracic selective nerve root block is an outpatient procedure.  You will wear a gown for the procedure and be positioned lying face down on a table.  You will receive relaxation medicine before your procedure begins.  Your upper back area will be sterilized and numbed with an anesthetic medication.

Your doctor will use a live X-ray image (fluoroscopy) to carefully insert and guide a needle-like tube (cannula) to the affected medial nerve.  A small wire-like electrode (radiofrequency electrode) is inserted through the cannula.  To ensure the cannula is in the correct position, a very mild electrical current is delivered through the electrode to the nerve.  The nerve will briefly conduct pain signals and cause a muscle twitch, confirming that the correct nerve is targeted.  Next, numbing medication is delivered to the nerve in preparation for the treatment.  Heat is delivered through the electrode to the nerve.  The heat creates a lesion on the nerve.  The heat disrupts the nerve’s ability to send signals about pain.  At the end of the procedure, the cannula and electrode are removed.  The process can be repeated for additional nerves that require treatment. 
 
You will be monitored for several minutes before you can return home.  You should have another person drive you home because you received sedation.  You should use care while resuming your regular activities over the next several days because your back will feel sore.  Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, rest, and instruct you to use heat or ice packs to ease the pain.

It usually takes three to four weeks for the treated nerves to completely die.  You may experience pain until the treated nerves are dead.

Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy typically results in pain relief for about 9 to 14 months, or longer.  About 50% of people experience pain relief for as much as two years.  A small percentage of people do not experience any pain relief from the procedure.  Over time, the nerves will grow back (regenerate).  Some people will not experience pain again.  If you experience pain, the procedure may be repeated.  
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.