This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of endoscopic lumbar facet
rhizotomy, a minimally invasive surgical technique for managing chronic low back
pain originating from the facet joints. The authors discuss the relevant anatomy of the
lumbar facet joint complex, the pathophysiology of facet joint-related pain, the
inclusion and exclusion criteria for the surgery, and explain the surgery’s step-by-step
choreography by highlighting the use of advanced imaging and endoscopic technology
for precise targeting and ablation of the medial branch of the dorsal facet nerve. The
authors review their clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the authors discuss the current
evidence, research advancements, and future directions in the field. This book chapter
is a valuable resource for surgeons, pain specialists, and healthcare professionals
interested in understanding and implementing endoscopic lumbar facet rhizotomy as an
effective and minimally invasive approach for managing facet joint-related low back
pain.
Keywords: Endoscopic lumbar facet rhizotomy, Facet joints, Minimally invasive surgical technique, Advanced imaging, Pain specialists.
