Do you suffer from chronic pain in your back and neck and are tired of using painkillers? Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain technique used in Turkey relieves you of chronic neck and back pain.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has become the standard of care for people with chronic back and neck pain. Advances in SCS technology have allowed people with chronic spine-related pain to reduce or eliminate their need for medications and return to a comfortable and productive life.
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a new technology that can help relieve pain and improve the quality of life for people with chronic (long-term) pain. Like lower back and leg pain. SCS may also help reduce and manage chronic pain that isn't relieved by physical therapy, pain relievers, injections, or other nonsurgical treatments.
Spinal cord stimulation is a form of neuromodulation that works by blocking pain signals in the nerves from reaching the brain. Where feelings of pain are processed. A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that is implanted under the skin. The device delivers a small electrical pulse that masks or alters pain signals before they reach your brain.
The SCS system consists of the following components:
- Neurostimulator: A small device implanted under the skin that sends electrical impulses through a wire (lead) to nerves in the spinal cord.
- Conduction wire: A thin wire implanted in the spine that delivers electrical impulses from a neurostimulator.
- Remote control: Turns the stimulus on and off and increases or decreases the amount of stimulus.
- Charger: Rechargeable nerve stimulators typically require about one hour to be charged every two weeks.
A variety of spinal cord stimulators are available that work in different ways to reduce pain through neuromodulation:
- Conventional spinal cord stimulators produce a gentle tingling sensation that masks pain.
- Spinal cord burst stimulators send intermittent bursts of electrical impulses designed to mimic the way the body sends nerve impulses.
- High frequency spinal cord stimulators reduce pain without causing a tingling sensation.
What types of pain does it treat? Spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic back or leg pain that occurs on one or both sides of the body. Including pain that remains after back surgery (failed back surgery syndrome).
The most common reason for using SCS is chronic back and leg pain. This means back or leg pain caused by nerve damage from an accident, injury or disease. In contrast to acute pain (for example, touching a hot pan or stepping on a tray) the pain serves a protective purpose. Chronic neuropathic pain lasts 3 months or longer and does not help protect the body.
Spinal cord stimulation is also used to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). It is a relatively rare condition that affects the arms/hands or legs/feet and is thought to be caused by damage or malfunction of the nervous system. In addition, SCS is used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain, which is damage to nerves outside the spinal cord (usually in the hands or feet) caused by infection, trauma, surgery, diabetes, or other unknown causes.
How is a spinal cord stimulator implanted?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a relatively new technology in Turkey and around the world that can help manage chronic pain when the cause of the pain cannot be removed or the injury cannot be repaired. The device consists of a stimulating wire or “electrode” with a control unit or “generator”. By placing a stimulating electrode on the spinal cord, the pain signal cannot be sent from the spine to the brain. After the patient has been evaluated and non-surgical treatments are used, this is where spinal cord stimulation comes in to help manage chronic pain. The patient often undergoes mental health testing and counseling so that they understand how to manage the implanted device.
The experiment is performed by placing one or two wires in the space outside the spinal cord and controlling them from a unit outside the patient's body. This wire is usually kept in place for about a week. The patient is able to test how effective the wired stimulation is in relieving pain. The stimulation is a very mild electrical impulse that the patient usually does not feel. These electrical impulses mask the pain signal and can be tuned over the course of the experience to get the most pain relief possible. Trials are considered successful if they can remove half of the patient's pain.
The sequence of spinal cord stimulation in Turkey
After making sure that the trial that was conducted was successful, the patient is prepared for surgery to put a permanent stimulator. This is usually done by making a small incision in the back and another near the waist. An electrode or a small, flat wire is placed through an incision at the back into the space behind the spinal cord. The wire is then threaded under the skin into an incision near the waist where it is connected to a small battery-powered generator.
The generator is placed under the skin at the waist incision. Then the system is tested and if everything is found to be working properly, the incisions are closed and the surgery is over. The catalyst is controlled by a small handheld remote control, which can be used to make adjustments as needed. Some generators' batteries have to be recharged every few days and others don't need recharging at all. Non-rechargeable batteries usually need to be replaced about every 3-5 years while rechargeable batteries can last more than 10-15 years.
What is the recovery time after SCS transplant?
Recovery time after the procedure ranges from 6 to 8 weeks. You may feel pain and swelling at the site of the wound and in the area where the device is implanted (for example, the upper buttock). These symptoms should disappear after a few days.
Immediately after the implantation of the spinal cord stimulator, the following types of movements should be avoided:
- lifting.
- bending;
- stretching;
- skewness
During your recovery, a representative of the stimulator provider SCS will meet with you to improve settings and train you on additional features.
Return to your normal activities under a doctor's supervision. Light exercises, such as walking, are recommended to help you build strength and relieve pain.
Catalyst battery life
The primary cell battery usually needs to be replaced every 4 to 5 years depending on usage. The rechargeable battery usually lasts about 10 years.
What are the potential benefits of spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a form of neuromodulation that works by blocking pain signals in the nerves from reaching the brain. In addition to reducing pain, other important benefits of SCS include:
- improve the performance
- Increased activity and mobility
- Reducing opioid use
- Less need for other pain relievers
- Less reliance on brace
- sleep improvement
The effects of SCS vary from person to person, and it is important to understand that SCS may help reduce, but not eliminate, pain.
What are the potential risks of a spinal cord stimulation cannula for chronic pain?
During an SCS implant, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, surgery site pain, nerve damage, or (rarely) paralysis.
In some people, scar tissue may build up over the electrode at the end of the lead wire. This prevents the electrical impulses of the stimulator from reaching its target. Additionally, the wire may move or shift, or send the stimulus to the wrong location. Or the nerve stimulus may travel under the skin making it painful or difficult to charge the battery or connect to the handheld remote control.
There is also a small risk that the conductive wire may break or the catalyst may malfunction and require replacement. Finally, some patients may respond well to spinal cord stimulation initially, but later develop tolerance to the treatment. In this case, the pain returns because the nerves stop responding to the neural formation.
Precautions when doing electrical stimulation of the spinal cord in Turkey
Discuss with your doctor what you can and cannot do while implanting or activating an SCS (electrical impulse conduction). Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
- Do not drive or operate heavy equipment when the catalyst is active.
- SCS systems may fire metal detectors at airports, for example, and a manual TSA check may be required.
- MRI, electrocautery, diathermy, defibrillators, and defibrillators can all interact with certain SCS devices, resulting in patient injury or damage to the spinal cord stimulator.
The decision to use spinal stimulation depends on your individual needs and risks. Talk to your doctor to determine if trying a spinal cord stimulator is an appropriate treatment option for you.
Contact us at Bimaristan's Center If you suffer from chronic pain in your neck and back, we will help you get rid of all your pain. For more details about the surgeries in Turkey, we recommend that you read the following article from Here.