Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® is a minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement — treating chronic joint pain from arthritis and degenerative joint disease through a single 4mm incision, about the size of a quarter-inch band-aid. Outpatient, no implant, minimal recovery. For the right candidate, it may provide permanent relief while preserving your natural joint.
Same-day outpatient
No implants or general anesthesia
Over 20 years of experience
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian’s patented procedure delivers permanent relief for chronic joint pain caused by arthritis and degenerative joint disease — precisely targeting and disabling the pain-conducting nerves, without removing or replacing the joint.
The most established use of Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy — a minimally invasive alternative to knee replacement that treats arthritis, old injuries, and even failed replacements at the nerve.
Relief for chronic hip joint pain from arthritis, bursitis, and wear — treating the pain nerves without hip replacement.
A non-surgical alternative to shoulder replacement for arthritis, rotator cuff wear, and impingement — treating the pain nerves while preserving your shoulder.
Relief for arthritic ankle pain, old sprains, and instability — treating the pain nerves without fusing or replacing the joint.
Chronic facet joint pain in the neck, mid-back, or lower back from arthritis or disc wear — relieved at the nerve, without fusion or replacement.
Sacroiliac pain in the lower back, buttock, or hip from arthritis, inflammation, or instability — relieved at the nerve, without fusion.
Chronic arthritic and degenerative pain across the body's major joints — treated at the nerve, without medication or joint replacement.
Knees, hips, shoulders, and the SI joint are where Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® is used most often — but the same nerve-targeting approach can ease chronic pain in many other joints. If one of these is keeping you in pain, it’s worth finding out whether you’re a candidate.
Chronic ankle pain from arthritis, old sprains, or instability can be treated at the nerve — without fusing or replacing the joint.
Painful thumb arthritis that makes gripping and pinching difficult may be relieved by targeting the pain-carrying nerves, while keeping the joint intact.
Arthritic and post-injury wrist pain can be addressed at the nerve, preserving the joint and the motion you rely on every day.
Facet joint pain in the spine — most often the lower back — relieved at the nerve, without fusion or hardware.
Most people aren’t afraid of surgery itself — they’re afraid of what can go wrong with a joint replacement. Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® is designed to avoid those risks, because it never removes or replaces the joint.
Open replacement surgery risks deep infection around the implant. DPR works through a single 4mm opening — no open joint, no implant to infect.
Replacement patients are often laid up for weeks, which raises clot risk. DPR patients are up and home the same day.
There is no large surgical wound, so there is no significant blood loss during or after the procedure.
Major open surgery can damage nearby nerves and vessels. DPR precisely targets only the pain-carrying nerves.
There is no artificial joint that can loosen, dislocate, or stiffen and limit your range of motion over time.
DPR preserves your natural joint, which never wears out — so there is no implant to replace down the road.
A knee replacement can mean 3–12 months of recovery. Most DPR patients recover in about an hour and go home the same day.
A short walkthrough of the procedure, the patient experience, and what makes DPR a true alternative to replacement surgery.
Developed by world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, this patented procedure uses a precision plasma wand to perform a permanent rhizotomy — disconnecting pain-causing nerves in the joint without damaging the joint itself. Unlike joint replacement, DPR preserves your natural anatomy and mobility. And even if you've had a failed joint replacement, you can still be a candidate for the procedure.
No hospital admission. No artificial joint hardware. No months of rehabilitation. Targeted relief at the exact source of your pain.
Home within hours — no overnight hospital stay.
Your natural joint anatomy stays completely intact.
No hospital stay or general anesthesia required.
Range of motion maintained, not compromised.
Prior surgery doesn’t disqualify you from being a candidate.
Pain-conducting nerves are permanently disconnected from the joint.
Joint replacement is major open surgery through an incision six inches long or more. Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® treats the pain nerves through a single 4mm opening — about a quarter of an inch. Here’s what that difference actually looks like.
The entire Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® procedure is performed through that single 4mm opening — no joint removal, no implant, and home the same day.
Why Deuk Joint
Patients travel from across the country to Melbourne, Florida for a procedure and a level of commitment they couldn't find anywhere else.
Dr. Deukmedjian developed and patented the Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® — the procedure is unique to Deuk Spine Institute.
Thousands of patients have returned to hiking, sports, and pain-free daily living after treatment with Dr. Deukmedjian.
Plasma-based nerve ablation that targets pain at its source — without touching or removing the joint.
Patients travel from across the country to Melbourne, Florida for Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® — a minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement and fusion.
We’ve eliminated every barrier between you and the care you need — starting with a free MRI review from anywhere in the country.
Upon receipt of your MRI, our team schedules a video consultation to review findings and discuss your condition.
A spine specialist personally reviews your case and prepares a detailed assessment before your appointment.
Meet with your doctor via video to discuss findings, ask questions, and explore your options — no travel required.
Receive clear, customized treatment recommendations designed to target the source of your pain.
Don't settle for masking symptoms or undergoing invasive surgery. The Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy offers a better way to treat joint pain at the source — with fast recovery and long-lasting results.
