Rhizotomy for Migraine?
Rhizotomy is a surgical procedure which severs nerve roots, often in the spinal cord, in an attempt to relieve pain.
Has rhizotomy been used to fight migraine? Yes, but rarely.
Why rarely?
- Surgical procedures are not recommended until many other treatments have been tried.
- Rhizotomy is not always considered reliable for certain types of pain. It is much more common for back pain, cancer pain, and trigeminal neuralgia.
- Rhizotomy is temporary, and usually not complete relief, and will need to be repeated every few months.
- There are other types of surgery and treatment that can “block nerves” which can be tried in serious, previously untreatable cases of migraine.
Read more: Referred Pain: Can it be treated by Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?
Pain Management Technique: Radiofrequency Rhizotomy
Pain: Hope Through Research
14 October 2013 @ 5:40 pm
This sounds scary. Botox?
14 October 2013 @ 6:12 pm
Its not scary, only painful during the procedure, but if you can take it for 10 minutes it is worth it. They can also put you under if you cant take the pain. The description is correct though… does not completely take away the pain, but does help a lot.
14 October 2013 @ 7:41 pm
it has to be repeated every few months? hmm…
14 October 2013 @ 10:15 pm
My doctor has discussed this with me. Though he said if your migraines are unresponsive to nerve blocks (which unfortunately mine are) then this procedure may not work.
15 October 2013 @ 10:51 am
I read that before.the procedures just blocking the nerves point tht trigger the pain.but idont thinks it will helps much.
4 February 2015 @ 11:31 pm
I had my first step to working my way up to the Rhizotomy and it was the Cmbb and omg was that painful but I was not mentally prepared for it and the nurse totally screwed up with what she told me so needless to say I was pissed before he even came near me and then he was asking me all these questions like he had no clue what he was doing needless to say I had a very bad experience Diane SC
26 January 2021 @ 2:07 pm
my daughter has suffered from a continuous headache at the crown for about 20 years. This has become much more severe over the past 2 months and has had increased nausea and vomiting as well.
She was a victim of SBS, initially had a VP shunt. Later an encapsulated blood clot (4″in diameter 2″ thick) was removed from rt temperol lobe .
She has had a multitude of medications, nerve blocks, botox, devices, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy all to no avail.
I am looking for anything that will give her relief!