CHAPTER 12
CERVICAL RADIOFREQUECY
RHIZOTOMY (RFR)
(This is the section that explains the detail of the operation or procedure
above and should be read in conjunction with the chapter Your eck
Operation).
A cervical RFR is performed for pain that is caused by damaged facet joints
(see the chapter Anatomy of the Spine). The aim of the operation is to tem-
porarily paralyse the very small nerves that supply the facet joint of pain sen-
sation. This will then bring partial or complete (but temporary) relief of the
pain, spasms and referred pain that these damaged facet joints can cause.
The reason why your specialist performs this procedure and not a more inva-
sive operation is because he or she is trying to be as conservative as possible
in treating your condition. The aim is to treat your symptoms without resort-
ing to a more invasive operation.
When undergoing this procedure, you will be lying on your stomach on bol-
sters or pillows. Some specialists perform this procedure with their patients
lying on their back. Your specialist will use an X-ray machine to guide the
needles that are used to do the procedure with.
In performing the rhizotomy, thin needles are inserted through the skin at the
back of the neck. These needles are placed on the small nerves that supply the
joints between the two vertebral bodies and a radiofrequency generator is
then attached and the nerve is inactivated by radiofrequency pulses.
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