Neurotomy vs. Rhizotomy — What's the Difference?

Neurotomy may refer to the application of heat (as in radio frequency nerve lesioning) or freezing to sensory nerve fibers to cause their temporary degeneration, usually to relieve pain. Neurotomy and neurolysis (where the degeneration is caused by the application of chemical agents) are forms of neurolytic block.

This article deals with Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) rather than the rhizotomy procedures for pain relief; for those procedures, which have begun to take the name "rhizotomy" in certain instances, see facet rhizotomy and similar. A facet rhizotomy is just one of many different forms of radiofrequency ablation, and its use of the "rhizotomy" name should not be confused with the SDR procedure.A selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), also known as a rhizotomy, dorsal rhizotomy, or a selective posterior rhizotomy, is a neurosurgical procedure that selectively destroys problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord.

The surgical cutting or stretching of a nerve, usually to relieve pain.

Surgical severance of spinal nerve roots to relieve pain or hypertension.

(neuroscience) The dissection, or anatomy, of the nervous system.

(surgery) The surgical procedure of cutting the anterior or posterior spinal nerve roots in order to relieve pain, or reduce muscle spasms.

(neurology) The division of a nerve, for the relief of neuralgia, or for other purposes.

Surgical procedure in which spinal nerve roots are cut; done (anterior roots) to relieve intractable pain or (posterior roots) to stop severe muscle spasms

The dissection, or anatomy, of the nervous system.

The division of a nerve, for the relief of neuralgia, or for other purposes.