We have all heard of cardiac pacemaker and how it can revive a critically and irreversibly damaged heart by generating electrical impulses called cardiac impulses or action potentials required for proper pumping of heart thus acting as a true life savior in otherwise hopeless condition. Quite similar to it is, spinal cord stimulator, a device used to exert pulsed electrical signals to revive the already damaged spinal cord peripheral nerves of the patient when everything else has failed,thus giving relief from chronic pain.
Approved by the FDA in 1989, spinal cord stimulation (SCS), a form of neuro stimulation technology has over the years become a standard treatment for patients with chronic pain in their back and or limbs and those who have not found pain relief from other treatments. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain relief technique that delivers a low-voltage electrical current continuously to the spinal cord to block the sensation of pain.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the simplest form, involves stimulating electrodes implanted in the epidural space, an electrical pulse generator implanted in the lower abdominal area or gluteal region with the conducting wires connecting the electrodes to the generator, and the generator remote control. As pain changes or improves, stimulation can be adjusted as necessary.
Most patients who qualify for neurostimulation therapy report a 70 to 90% reduction in overall pain, as well as an increased ability to participate in normal family and work activities. Many patients find that they can decrease or stop taking painkillers or other pain medications after undergoing spinal cord stimulation. Given these benefits, there has been ongoing research and advances in spinal cord stimulation technology, and many individuals suffering from chronic pain find that neurostimulation positively impacts the quality of their lives. However, it is important to note that the degree of pain relief experienced from spinal cord stimulation or peripheral nerve stimulation varies from person to person.
In general, neurostimulation works by applying an electrical current to the source of chronic pain. SCS is the most commonly used implantable neurostimulation technology for management of pain syndromes. As many as 50,000 neurostimulators are implanted worldwide every year.
Types of incurable diseases where Spinal Cord Stimulation is used for treatment
One of these is Arachnoiditis , a painful condition caused by inflammation of the arachnoid, one of three linings that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.It impacts the nerves and causes symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and a distinctive stinging and burning pain in the lower back or legs. Other symptoms include debilitating muscle cramps, twitches, spasms, and bladder/bowel/sexual dysfunction. Some of the known causes of this are irritation from chemicals arising from Spinal procedures and epidural steroid injections;bacterial or viral infections; spinal cord injury; or complications arising from spinal surgery.There is no cure for this condition except spinal cord stimulation & neuromodulation.
One more disease where only spinal cord stimulation & neuromodulation only works is Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) , an uncommon nerve disorder which causes intense burning pain, usually in the arms, hands, legs or feet. Along with the pain, the patient may experience extreme skin sensitivity and changes in the color, temperature or moistness of the skin .Causes are largely unknown but it can occur after an injury, either to a nerve or to tissue in the affected area.
Besides Spinal Cord Stimulant is used in several other conditions such as Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) ,where surgery for back pain was done but the patient does not recover.In such cases too,SCS works wonders. Other conditions include Nerve damage, neuropathy, or neuritis and motor neuron disorders(MND’s) which are classified as incurable diseases.
All in all Spinal Cord Stimulation is a measure of last resort and generally helps in reducing the chronic pain the patient might be suffering from ,thus giving him or her a chance to have better quality life.
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