Radiofrequency Rhizotomy as a Treatment of RSD

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Radiofrequency Rhizotomy as a Treatment of RSD

Radiofrequency Rhizotomy as a Treatment of RSD

Radiofrequency Rhizotomy as a Treatment of RSD. Chronic pain is a debilitating illness that impacts many people all across the United States. Every day, families wake up to a loved one in chronic pain who may not be able to get out of bed, let alone go to work or attend school. This is heartbreaking and, unfortunately, it impacts more families than many people realize. Based on some of the statistics that have been put together and released by the American Academy of Pain Medicine:

  • There are more than 76 million people in the United States who mention that they have had some sort of pain that lasted more than 24 hours (this does not include acute pain)
  • This is more than one-quarter of all adults in the country
  • The age group most likely to have pain that lasts more than 24 hours are middle-aged Americans between the ages of 45 and 64
  • Furthermore, more than 25 percent of young adults between the ages of 20 and 44 report having chronic pain lasting more than 24 hours

Unfortunately, there are people who have chronic pain that lasts significantly longer than 24 hours. For some people, their pain may never completely resolve. This is the case for people who have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. This illness is also referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. For those living with this illness, they may feel like their treatment options are limited. Fortunately, there are new treatment options available.

Novel Treatment Options: Managing Pain in RSD

The pain management process in RSD is one of the most challenging aspects of this illness. Medical management with oral medications remains the cornerstone but it is important to consider alternative approaches as well. One of these involves nerve injections, where a dose of an anesthetic is delivered directly to the nerve itself. Some of the newer options include electric nerve stimulation, where the damaged nerve actually has an electrical current delivered to try and stabilize the signals between the extremity and the brain. If this fails, some individuals even elect to try surgical approaches to improve their symptoms. Some of these newer surgical options are even targeting the spinal cord. Why is this the case?

What is Radiofrequency Rhizotomy?

For individuals living with RSD, pain signals travel from an affected limb to the brain via nerves. Along the way, these signals pass through the spinal cord. This is the target of radiofrequency ablation, also called radiofrequency rhizotomy. In this treatment:

  • The affected nerve is identified as it runs through the spinal cord
  • Using real-time imaging, the nerve is located
  • A heat source is implanted into the spine
  • This heat source generates a radiofrequency that numbs the nerve inside of the spinal cord

This treatment could prove to be an effective option for people whose pain from RSD is not controlled with medicine alone.

How Does This Help People Living with RSD?

While this procedure sounds scary, it can provide potential benefits for people living with RSD. In this disease, the pain is often intractable and conventional medications alone are not enough. The nerves in RSD are often injured and do not process signals correctly. The brain interprets these signals as pain, leading to the severe symptoms that many people living with RSD feel. This treatment method could be a part of an effective, well-rounded treatment strategy that helps people with RSD control their pain. It could even enable them to return to school or work.

Contacting a Trained Legal Adviser

Living with RSD is hard. Families may feel like people aren’t listening to their questions and concerns. Some of the common ones include:

  • How is my loved one ever going to be able to return to work or school?
  • How are we going to manage financially, especially if health insurance does not cover the cost of health care?
  • Why did this illness develop in the first place?
  • Could something have been done differently to prevent this from happening?
  • Is there anyone out there who can help us?

In the end, it is important to take a few minutes to speak with an RSD attorney in Sacramento. An experienced legal adviser has the tools necessary to help people who are in need. Your family could be entitled to a financial reward.

Contact an RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Attorney in Sacramento. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with chronic pain due to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please give me a call at (916)-382-0693. I would be happy to share free, friendly advice with families in need.

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