What does neurotomy?

Neurotomy refers to the surgical severing of a peripheral nerve or a division of a nerve to relieve pain, manage muscle spasms, or treat certain muscle conditions. It's a type of surgical intervention that involves cutting the nerve fibers to disrupt the transmission of nerve signals from a specific nerve to the brain.

Purposes of Neurotomy:

- Pain Relief: Neurotomy is often used to treat chronic pain conditions that are unresponsive to other treatments, such as medication or physical therapy. By severing the affected nerve, the pain signals are blocked from reaching the brain, providing relief.

- Muscle Spasm Management: Neurotomy can be an effective intervention to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms. In cases like spasticity or dystonia, where involuntary muscle contractions occur, severing the responsible nerves can help control the spasms.

- Muscle Contracture Treatment: In certain muscle contracture conditions, neurotomy can be used to restore muscle balance by releasing tight, overactive muscles. By cutting the overactive nerve supply to the affected muscle, the muscle can relax, improving flexibility and range of motion.

- Diaphragm Pacing: Neurotomy of the phrenic nerve (which controls the diaphragm muscle) may be performed to facilitate diaphragm pacing in individuals with ventilatory insufficiencies, such as severe respiratory muscle weakness. This procedure allows for assisted breathing by artificially controlling the diaphragm's contractions.

Types of Neurotomy:

- Selective Neurotomy: This involves selectively cutting the affected nerve fibers while preserving other nearby nerve structures.

- Proximal Neurotomy: This refers to severing the nerve trunk closer to its origin, such as at the level of the spinal cord or nerve roots.

- Distal Neurotomy: This involves cutting the nerve further away from its origin, close to the affected muscle or tissue.

The type of neurotomy performed depends on the specific condition and the location of the affected nerve.

Neurotomy is generally a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, and it can provide significant pain relief and improve muscle control for individuals with certain nerve-related conditions. However, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks of neurotomy carefully, as nerve severance is irreversible.