Can Endoscopic Rhizotomy Help With Chronic Back or Neck Pain?

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we are committed to providing advanced and minimally invasive solutions for chronic pain management. One of the innovative procedures we offer is endoscopic rhizotomy—a highly effective treatment for chronic back or neck pain often caused by irritated or damaged facet joints in the spine.
 
Facet joints are small joints in the spine supplied by medial branch nerves. When these nerves become irritated, they can cause persistent pain that significantly affects your quality of life. Our team uses endoscopic rhizotomy to precisely target and disrupt these nerves, interrupting pain signals and providing significant, long-lasting relief.
 
How the Procedure Works
During endoscopic rhizotomy, our experienced physicians use a state-of-the-art endoscope—a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light—to visualize the affected area of your spine in real time. With the help of live imaging, we are able to accurately navigate to the specific medial branch nerves causing your pain.
 
Once the problematic nerves are identified, a specialized instrument is introduced through the endoscope. Using radiofrequency energy or another advanced technique, we ablate (disable) these nerves, effectively stopping the transmission of pain signals—without causing significant damage to the surrounding tissues.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we are committed to offering advanced, minimally invasive solutions for patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain. One such procedure is endoscopic rhizotomy, which is specifically designed to address pain originating from the facet joints of the spine. These small joints connect each vertebra and can become significant sources of discomfort due to arthritis, degeneration, or injury.
 
If you have persistent back or neck pain that has not improved with conservative treatments—including physical therapy, medications, or injections—endoscopic rhizotomy may be an effective next step, especially if diagnostic nerve blocks have confirmed that your facet joints are the primary pain source.
 
This procedure is most beneficial for individuals whose pain is localized to the back or neck and does not radiate extensively into the arms or legs. Our experienced team will thoroughly evaluate your pain pattern and perform the necessary diagnostic tests to determine if endoscopic rhizotomy is right for you. It is important to note that this treatment is less effective for pain related to herniated discs, nerve compression, or widespread neuropathic conditions, which may require different approaches.

Endoscopic rhizotomy is designed to help individuals whose pain has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or traditional injections.
 
Endoscopic rhizotomy utilizes a specialized endoscope, allowing our pain management specialists to directly visualize and precisely target the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joints of the spine. By applying radiofrequency energy, we ablate or disrupt these problematic nerve fibers, often resulting in significant pain relief or even complete resolution of pain.
 
We recommend endoscopic rhizotomy for patients who have undergone thorough diagnostic testing, such as medial branch blocks, which confirm that the source of pain is related to the small nerves supplying the facet joints. This procedure is particularly effective for patients who have not achieved sufficient relief with more conservative therapies.
 
Benefits of Endoscopic Rhizotomy

• Minimally invasive approach: Smaller incisions and less tissue disruption compared to open surgery.
• Faster recovery: Most patients experience quicker recovery times, allowing them to return to daily activities sooner.
• Reduced risk: The precision of the endoscopic approach minimizes potential complications.
 
Our experienced team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if endoscopic rhizotomy is the best option for your unique situation. While this procedure can be highly effective for facet joint-related spinal pain, it is not suitable for every type of back or neck pain. We ensure every patient receives a customized treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and goals.

For patients suffering from chronic back or neck pain due to facet joint problems, endoscopic rhizotomy offers targeted pain relief by addressing the specific nerves transmitting pain signals from the spinal joints.
 
This minimally invasive procedure is performed in our state-of-the-art facility by our experienced pain management specialists. Using a small incision, a thin tube called an endoscope is carefully inserted to visualize the spinal anatomy. Our physicians then precisely identify the medial branch nerves, which are often responsible for persistent pain in the facet joints.
 
With direct visualization, our team uses specialized instruments to safely ablate (sever) these pain-carrying nerves—most commonly with radiofrequency energy or cauterization. By disrupting the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain, patients typically experience significant and lasting pain relief. Importantly, this procedure targets only the problematic nerves, preserving the surrounding muscles and bone, and maintaining normal movement and function.
 
Patients often begin to notice pain relief within days to a few weeks following the procedure, with results that can last several months to a few years, depending on how quickly the nerves regenerate. While endoscopic rhizotomy does not reverse joint degeneration, it can greatly improve quality of life by reducing the sensation of pain. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated for continued relief.

If you are struggling with chronic facet joint pain, Dr. Youssef Josephson, DO and the highly skilled team at Comprehensive Pain Specialists offer a sophisticated solution right here in Wilkes-Barre. Unlike traditional open surgeries, Dr. Youssef utilizes Endoscopic Rhizotomy—a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure that uses camera-guided technology to precisely desensitize the nerves causing your back pain.

Our providers, including Teresa Clark, MSN, CRNP, and Jillian Viercinski, CRNP, are dedicated to moving beyond temporary fixes. By targeting the source of your discomfort with smaller incisions and faster recovery times, we help our patients return to their active lifestyles. Experience a personalized approach to pain management where advanced technology meets compassionate, local expertise.
 
At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our priority is to help you regain comfort and mobility using the most advanced, minimally invasive treatments available. If you’re struggling with chronic spine-related pain, our team is here to guide you through your options and provide the compassionate, comprehensive care you deserve. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 1177 PA-315, Dolphin Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. We serve patients from Wilkes-Barre PA, Glen Lyon PA, Dallas PA, Pittston PA, Mountain Top PA, Plymouth PA, and surrounding areas.