What is the difference between a rhizotomy or radio frequency ablation on the lumbar spine?

Good question: Rhizotomy is a different term used when nerve interuption was done surgically with a knife by a neurosurgeon rf ablaton rhizotomy differs only in the energy used to accomplish the same task interuption of afferent innervation. Thats what it means to me to neurosurgeon there are other rhizotomy procedures besides the common facet rhizotomies i supect the distinction is important to them.

Both are the same: Rhizotomy and radiofrequency ablation are different words that say the exact same thing. Rhizotomy is an older term.