What are the Expected Recovery and Success Rates of an Endoscopic Rhizotomy?
After an endoscopic rhizotomy, some patients may experience mild swelling, discomfort, and soreness around the skin incisions. These symptoms may linger for a few days up to a couple of weeks. Patients typically use over-the-counter pain relievers and an ice pack to provide relief.
Recovery
Most patients can return to work and normal activities the next day. However, they should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until advised by the surgeon. Taking a shower, soaking in the bathtub, or swimming should be avoided until at least 24 hours after surgery.
In our experience and our published research, patients who have an endoscopic rhizotomy can expect low back pain to be significantly improved post-operatively and continue to improve to maximum pain relief in about two weeks. This pain relief, as reported in clinical research, can last up to 5 years.

Before and After the Procedure and the Risks
Before the Procedure
Since you will be receiving medication, it is recommended that you do not eat within four or five hours before the procedure. If you are a diabetic, be sure to discuss your eating and medication schedule with your doctor. You may need to stop taking certain medications several days before the procedure. Please remind the doctor of all prescription and over- the-counter medications you take, including herbal and vitamin supplements. The doctor will tell you if and when you need to discontinue the medications. It is very important to tell the doctor if you have asthma, had an allergic reaction (i.e. hives, itchiness, difficulty breathing, any treatment which required hospitalization) to the injected dye for a previous radiology exam (CT scan, angiogram, etc) or if you have had an allergic reaction to shellfish (shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab). The doctor may prescribe some medications for you to take before having the procedure. Tell the doctor if you develop a cold, fever, or flu symptoms before your scheduled appointment.
After the Procedure
After your discharge from the pain center, it is very important that you engage in activities which would normally provoke your pain. If you do not, the test will not give a valid result. Remember, this is a temporary procedure and return of your pain is expected. Please note when your pain returns. Also, you will need to call the pain nurse on the same day, 2-3 hours after your discharge to discuss how the block worked. The results of this test will then determine what further diagnostic or therapeutic procedures will be needed.
Procedure Risks
The risks, although infrequent, include: Allergic reaction to the medication; Nerve damage; Bruising at the injection site; Infection at the injection site; Injection of medication into a blood vessel.