Evaluation comes first
Radiofrequency ablation creates a thermal lesion in a selected nerve to reduce pain signaling. The word rhizotomy is sometimes used loosely for these procedures; its meaning depends on the actual technique.
Treatment considerations
Direct nerve transection is a different intervention from a conventional percutaneous thermal lesion. If a technique involves transection, ask which nerve is targeted, why that approach is preferred, what evidence supports it, and how its risks compare with standard RFA. The available options depend on anatomy and the clinical evaluation.
Questions for your clinician
- How confident are we about the pain source?
- What is the evidence for this option in my situation?
- What are the alternatives, limitations, and procedure-specific risks?
- What function do we expect to improve?
Availability and suitability are determined during clinical evaluation. This page describes options, not an individual treatment recommendation.
Arrange an evaluation