Percutaneous Radiofrequency Foramenal Rhizotomies
- 1 October 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Spine
- Vol. 8 (7) , 729-732
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-198310000-00008
Abstract
Thirty quadriplegic and paraplegic patients with intractable spasticity underwent percutaneous radiofrequency foramenal rhizotomies. This produced improvement in 94% of the patients, with excellent results in 73%. The complication rate was 3%. The major disadvantage of the procedure was recurrent spasticity, which was dealt with by simple repetition of the procedure. Rehabilitative goals were facilitated; needless painful disability was avoided; a need for intense nursing was reduced; the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcer formation was enhanced. The study suggests that this procedure is effective, inexpensive, and at low risk to the patient.Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: