Before entering fully into the meaning of the term denervation, we will proceed to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can point out that it is a word that derives from Latin, it is exactly the result of the union of these Latin components:
-The prefix “des-”, which is used to indicate “negation”.
-The particle “in”, which means “inside”.
-The noun “nervium”, which is synonymous with “nerve”.
-The suffix “-cion”, which is used to indicate “action and effect”.
Innervation is called the act that develops the nervous system on the functions of the organs. When a nerve innervates some part of the body, it reaches it. The idea of denervation refers to the loss of innervation in a certain structure of the organism.
Denervation, therefore, can imply that a muscle loses innervation due to injury or other disorder. If a nerve pathway is cut or if its transmission of impulses is interrupted by a drug, denervation occurs.
One of the consequences of the denervation of a muscle is atrophy. When the muscle is no longer innervated, it does not receive the signals it needs to maintain its normal size. This is how muscle atrophy begins to develop, which implies a decrease in its mass.
In case the denervation is suspended and the innervation is restored, the muscle can recover its functions. On the other hand, if the denervation is maintained over time, a few months later the muscle fibers begin to degenerate. Therefore, sustained denervation over time can become irreversible because the muscle, at a certain point, is no longer in a position to recover normal function.
Sometimes denervation is produced on purpose to relieve pain. In this context, we can talk about radio frequency denervation, which seeks to deactivate the nerve that causes the ailment.
A clear example of how denervation can be used intentionally to deal with a chronic condition is in the case of chronic low back pain. Specifically, it is considered that radio frequency to achieve that can achieve what is pain relief. Of course, we must bear in mind that it is a solution for which there is still no medical evidence that it will significantly improve the situation.
Radio frequency denervation has another series of interesting aspects that are worth knowing, such as these:
-It is also called rhizotomy or rhizolysis.
-It is recommended, above all, by units that are in charge of pain treatment.
-It is mainly used for ailments that come to affect what is the lower part of the back or the neck. We are referring, for example, to back pain and neck pain, among others.
Although denervation procedures are often used to treat chronic low back pain, it is important to note that their safety and efficacy are often questioned by some clinicians.
