ELECTROCAUTERY RHIZOTOMY USING WANDING OF ENERGIZED ELECTROCAUTERY PROBE

1 . A method of performing a rhizotomy on a target sensory nerve innervating a joint, the method comprising:

creating an incision in a body of a patient;

directing a distal tip of an electrocautery probe through the incision;

navigating the distal tip of the electrocautery probe via medical imaging to a first location on a first boney surface adjacent a first target sensory nerve;

first delivering energy from the distal tip of the probe;

while first delivering energy, moving the distal tip of the probe over a first surface area along the first boney surface to direct the energy over the first surface area to cauterize of the first target sensory nerve;

stopping first delivering;

moving the distal end of the probe to a second location without removing the distal tip from the incision;

second delivering energy from the distal tip of the probe; and

while second delivering energy, moving the distal tip of the probe in a plurality of directions to direct the energy over a second surface area to cauterize of a second target sensory nerve.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second target sensory nerve extends along a second boney surface.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first boney surface is on a first vertebra and the second boney surface is on a second vertebra.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first boney surface is on a first bone forming a joint, and the second boney surface is on a second different bone forming a joint.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first boney surface is on a first bone adjacent a joint, and the second boney surface is on a second different bone adjacent a joint.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein cauterizing the first target nerve transects the first target nerve, and the cauterizing the second target nerve transects the second target nerve.

7 . A method of performing a rhizotomy on a target sensory nerve innervating a joint, the method comprising:

creating an incision in a body of a patient;

directing a distal tip of an electrocautery probe through the incision;

navigating the distal tip of the electrocautery probe via medical imaging to a location on a boney surface adjacent a target sensory nerve;

delivering medication to the target sensory nerve; then

delivering energy from the distal tip of the probe;

while delivering energy, moving the distal tip of the probe over a surface area along the boney surface to direct the energy over the surface area to cauterize the target sensory nerve.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrocautery probe is provided with a lumen, and the medication is delivered through the lumen.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the medication includes at least one of a local anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory medicine.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the medication comprises at least one of novocaine, bupivacaine, and methylprednisolone.

11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the medication includes at least one of a local anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory medicine.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the medicine comprises at least one of novocaine, bupivacaine, and methylprednisolone.

13 . A method of performing a rhizotomy on a target sensory nerve innervating a joint, the method comprising:

directing a distal tip of an electrocautery probe through an incision;

navigating the distal tip of the electrocautery probe via medical imaging to a location on a boney surface adjacent the target sensory nerve;

delivering energy from the distal tip of the probe; and

while delivering energy, moving the distal tip of the probe in a plurality of directions to direct the energy at the target nerve over a surface area to cauterize the nerve.