====== Dorsal rhizotomy ======

Is a [[neurosurgical procedure]] that selectively destroys problematic [[nerve root]]s, most often to relieve [[pain]] symptoms or [[neuromuscular disease]]s.

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The idea of rhizotomy to treat "violent neuralgic pains" was first suggested in 1888 by a New York neurologist named Dr. Charles Dana in a letter to Dr. [[Robert Abbe]]. This idea was put into action by Dr. Abbe on a select few patients. He found that, indeed, cutting nerves relieved spasticity and the accompanying pain but also resulted in loss of needed sensation and function (Moss and Manwaring 1992)


Abbe performed [[C6]]-[[C8]] posterior spinal rhizotomies in two separate [[procedure]]s, with good results. Just as significantly, during these procedures, Abbe stimulated the nerve roots to determine their functions; this was the first instance of [[intraoperative localization]] and [[stimulation]] 
((Abbe, R: A contribution to the surgery of the spine. Neurosurgical Classic XXIII. J Neurosurg 21:820, 1964. Originally published in Medical Record, New York 35:149, 1889.)).

====Types====
[[Radiofrequency rhizotomy]]

===By nerve===

[[Trigeminal rhizotomy]].

see [[Selective dorsal rhizotomy]]