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Rhizotomy Complications

Rhizotomy is a neurosurgery that cuts, nerve roots in the spinal cord. Surgeons do this to relieve pain from other conditions, like cerebral palsy, or to help with a pinched nerve or severe back pain. There are many different types of rhizotomy, each with its own possible complications.

  1. Facet Rhizotomy

    • Surgeons do facet rhizotomy to address pain due to joint damage or degenerative diseases. The joints may often rub or scrape together when the person is moving, causing tremendous pain. Complications can start with the administration of the local anesthetic. The anesthetic can sometimes cause additional pain. In some patients, surgeons may need to repeat the procedure annually to alleviate pain. In some cases, the needle may be placed incorrectly. This may cause new pain in different areas of the leg or back. Some complications are general to any surgery, including dizziness, bleeding or extended periods of weakness.

    Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy

    • Selective dorsal rhizotomy is most often performed on patients with cerebral palsy. This surgery involves cutting some sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and go into the spinal cord. The potential complications of the surgery are diverse. The surgery can cause paralysis of the legs and bladder, impotence and sensory loss. Infection is possible, as is leaking spinal fluid. Some cases may result in abnormal sensitivity of the skin, but this often clears up after about six weeks. Bladder issues may resolve themselves after a few weeks. A few cases may result in urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

    Selective Posterior Rhizotomy

    • A few patients who have spastic cerebral palsy may have spasms caused by nerves in the posterior spine. Patients who opt for selective posterior rhizotomy may face many risks and complications associated with the surgery. Some are short term and resolve themselves; others are more serious. At New York Medical Center, severe complications were reported in 15 percent of patients since 1986. The severe complications include bronchospasm, aspiration pneumonia, urinary retention and sensory loss. Immediately after surgery, patients may suffer severe pain and a decrease in muscle movement. Hip dislocation is also a possibility. Inherent complications can happen in any surgery, such as dizziness, pain, nausea and bleeding.

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