What are the outcomes of lumbar facet rhizotomy? what percentage of people get relief? what are the risks? do people end up worse afterward?

Varies: The results vary tremendously and proper patient selection is critical. To be a good candidate, you would have to have had complete relief in your pain from a facet injection, indicating the pain is indeed coming from the facet. It is a fairly safe procedure. Some literature suggests it can help while other articles say it works no better than a placebo. Thank you, .

Generally Good: Radiofrequency procedures work well if a previous facet injection or medial branch block was performed with greater than 75-80% relief that was obtained. As with anything there are failures, but quite low if the block worked well. Risks are the same as with any spine procedure, no different. Rare that you would be worse off afterwards.